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HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO., BOSTON. 



THE DEDICATION 

Of Goodnow Memorial Building 
And Baoo- Hall : Princeton Mass- 
achusetts : : September 6th : 1887 



W O R C F S '^r E R 
Lucius Paulinus Goddard 

MDtCCLXXXVIl 



Fl4 




25 il »y07 



Prefatory Note 



III the year 1884, Edward A. Goodnoio by a deed of gift 
transferred to the Town of Princeton the Memorial Library 
Jyuilding which he had erected in the Centre. At a later date 
he gave to the Town for the site of a toion hall a suitahle lot 
of land adjoining the site of the Memorial BuVding together 
wdh such a sum of money as insured the construction of the 
building in its prese}it style and comj^leteness. These enterprises 
made it desirable that the Congregational church., standing 
directly in front., shoidd be removed in order to give the neio 
buildings their full effect. The p>ro2wietors of the churcli hap- 
pily concurred in this vieto and the edifice was removed and 
the land which it had occup>ied was made a public p>ossession. 
When these things had been accomplished., the Toivn at its 
annual meeting in March 1887 made provision for the dedica- 
tion of the new buildings ; and all things being in readiness 
the Dedication took place on the sixth day of September in the 
same year. The princijml addresses and speeches on the 
occasion here follou\ tohile an account of the proceedings, pre- 
liminary and concurrent, will be found loith other matters i?i 
the Appendix. 



^^^^vi^ 



Prayer 



I?Y KEV. WILLIAM SlLVEUTIlORNE 



Almighty God, we have met in tliy great name to conse- 
crate to thee and to thy service among our fellow citizens and 
mankind, Goodnow Memorial Hall, and also Bagg Hall. 

We thank thee for these beautiful Halls ; for this day ; for 
the bright sunshine ; for the balmy air; for this large assem- 
bly of intelligent citizens ; for thy favoring providences ; and 
for all thy blessings given to us. 

As an interested part of the human race we ask thy blessing 
upon mankind ; more and more bless the people of these 
United States; bless thy servants our President and his Cabi- 
net; bless our Congress, Senators and Representatives, and 
aid them to make good and wise laws ; bless our Governors 
and their Councilors; particularly bless the Governor of our 
Commonwealth wlio cannot be with us at this Dedication ; 
greatly bless thy servant who gave for the public good so 
much in tliese noble memorial halls, which do thou, O Lord, 
fully protect night and day ; bless all this congregation, and 
particularly the speakers who will address us, so that they 
will do good to all of us. We commit ourselves fully to thee, 
our heavenly Father, and pray thee evermore, always, o-nide 
us to thy glory by the aid of thy Spirit, through Jesus our 
Lord and Saviour. Amen. 



DEDICATORY ADDRESSES 



Introductory Address 



BY THE PRESIDENT, HON. THOMAS H. RUSSELL 



It is now about three years since the corner stone was laid 
of one of the buildings, the erection of all of which mark 
and constitute, perhaps, the most notable event in the history 
of this municipality. 

The munificent purpose of Mr. Edward A. Goodxow, of 
presenting the town with a Free Library Building, then enter- 
ing upon its realization, led in its progress to larger plans and 
unexpected changes. An accidental lire having destroyed the 
then Town Hall, suggested the change of location of the 
house of worship of the Congregational Society, the erection 
of the present very elegant and commodious Town Hall, and 
the devotion of the large and ample grounds of the Society, 
now constituting the beautiful lawns in front of the three 
buildings, to public uses forever, as a jjark. These improve- 
ments are each and all, in their outward relations, part and 
parcel one of tlie other. The Library building was comi)leted 
in 1884; the removal of the Church building and the erection 
of the Town Hall occupied the years 1885-1886. Owing to 
some questions as to the manner of grading and ai-ranging the 
grounds, the final completion of these undertakings was 
delayed to the opening of the present season. All being now 
complete, it has seemed to the Town meet that this service 
of dedication and acknowledgment of its obligation to the 

5J 



10 



GOODNOW LIBRARY AND SCHOOL 



generosity of the donors be recognized in a formal manner, and 
the services of this day are in i^ursuance of its vote to this 
effect. 

Of the hirge expense incurred in all this, above $40,000 was 
the gift of Mr. Goodnow : the cost of tlie Library Building 
fully e<juip])ed, with the sum of $5,000 in money as a Library 
fund, being entirely from him. The cost of erecting the 
Town Hall, and the clianges of location and impi'ovement of 
the Cliurcli edifice, has been borne, saving the sum of about 
$10,000 approi)riated by the Town, by voluntary contribu- 
tions of citizens and friends, among whom Mr. Goodnow was 
a liberal donor. 

I may nut, without doing injustice, omit to make mention, 
in this connection, of the generous action of the Congrega- 
tional Society, in whose house of worsliip we are now assem- 
bled. I liave great respect for and faith in the modern 
Church ; and the Church I mean includes every order calling 
itself Christian. It has dominated the thought of the world 
for these fifteen centuries, because it has never yet failed to 
accept, though sometimes with lialting but conservative wis- 
dom, all new light that in the progress of the race has broken 
out of the Word or Works of the Almighty. The time has 
been when a Church would hesitate before it surrendered the 
choicest site of the town, long held, and solemnly dedicated 
to religious uses, to, or divide it with a Town Hall and a 
Public Library. It has come to bo the opinion of many 
Churches, as well as men, that the salvation of men, in this 
world, from ignorance, and the uplifting of the masses, in 
time, l)y the promotion of knowledge, personal freedom and 
free institutions, is well within the scheme of the great Head 
and Founder of the Church. 

The Congregational Society of this town, to its lasting 
honor, by a vote unanimous, so far as I know, gladly con- 



'KUlLDlNG AND liAGG IIALI, 11 

sented to the removal of its edifice from its central site, to 
give equal accommodation with its own to both new build- 
ings, and at the same time freely dedicated the large and 
beautiful lawn in its front, and owned by it, to public uses. 

Today all stands complete, and it remains that our thoughts 
and words be such as shall manifest grateful acknowledge- 
ment and intelligent apj)reciation of the great and lasting 
value of the benefits conferred on us, and the generations 
after us who shall occupy our places of today. 

Just across the way stand these two typical buildings — one 
a Town Hall, one a P^rkk Lihrary. 

A Town Hall — it means a free community, in a free 
state, in a free nation. It is a modern institution in the form 
in which we see it. In this form, in the great world, it is as 
yet a missionary institution. In its full significance, dignity 
and importance, it is of New England origin, and openly 
declares that political j)Ower has made its dwelling j>lace 
among the people. This fundamental idea is fast comino- to 
dominate the thought of all English sjtcaking peoj)les, and in 
lesser degree and less pronounced form, both Frencli and 
Germanic ; but, alas! alas! for the wide world beyond. The 
town hall has no place, function or significance aniono- the 
barbarous and savage, tlic ignorant and illiterate; no place 
where the law of might makes the law of right. It is the 
last, and not the first, in the evolution of the hio-hest man- 
hood ; it is the flower and fruitage of advancing, proo-ressive 
civilization. It is itself an outgrowth. It must have con- 
genial soil, root, stalk and branch. These are, and only are, 
intelligent citizens, thoroughly imbued with the great moral 
principles and obedient to the laws that underlie and make 
possible rational social life. 

In that other l)uilding, yonder — a Free Library we see 

the type of that which must precede and underlie any public 



12 <^OODNO-\V Ur.KARY AND SCHOOl. 

liberty that is hopeful, or that can be enduring. That stands 
for intelligence. Intelligence always means j)Ower; intelli- 
gence with moral qualities means power and blessing. To- 
day, amid all the din and strife of tongue and pen about labor 
and capital, and their res])ective rights and duties, in the very 
front of all combinations of labor for protection or aggran- 
dizement, stands the fact that skilled labor has rarely been in 
greater demand or at higher prices, and this at a moment 
whiiv the purchasing power of money is vastly increased. 
The skilled, intelligent hand, that can dominate and manipu- 
late the great forces of nature as one after another is made 
subject to the needs and wants of man, by an ever and in our 
day swiftly advancing science, is and ever will be in demand 
and at the front in the race of life. Pitiable indeed the lot of 
the ignorant and unskilled laborer. Every machine that ever 
has been, or ever shall be invented, from simplest to grandest, 
is and ever will be a conipetitor for his daily bread. Under 
the oreat laws of our social life no man, save himself, can 
help him. In this lies the supreme value of a free public 
Library: it heli>s men to help themselves, the most real help 
that one being can confer upon another. 

A Library — the garnered thought of the greatest and 
best; Frbe — wisdom pouring its treasures into every willing 
ear, without money and without price, who shall escape just 
inferiority, that neglects so great oj)portunity ? 

Who can escape its influence V It is like the rain ; its influ- 
ence falls on the just and the unjust; like the sun, it shines 
for the evil and the good. It is always and ever a light 
shining among men. If some will not use its treasures, others 
will ; perchance, a friend, a neighbor, a child, will taste and 
see that it is good ; and lifted, will by the subtle ])Ower of 
social influence, against which no barrier of prejudice or 
indLfference can stand, lift others. 



TitTILrHlSrCT AND r.AGCr HALT, 1^ 

The public benefactor who plants such an institution need 
let no ajiparent indifference or lack of appreciation chill for a 
moment his heart or purpose. The greater the need, the 
greater the gift. It comes with the potency of untold good 
within it, and will work it out. One might as soon attempt to 
bind the sweet influence of the Pleiades or loose the bands of 
Orion, as to restrain or limit this power. Time, with it, is a 
very small element. It comes to stay. 

This great gift, in form and proportion a " thing of beauty," 
" a joy forever," with foundation literally on and of rock ; its 
walls and towers of solid granite; its l)eams and fittings all of 
the goodly ash ; this light, literally set on a hill, shall long- 
endure. Age will come to it, but without diminution or 
decrease, but with great increase, liringing no feebleness, but 
strength a thousand-fold. 

This noble and lasting blessing to tjiis community of today, 
and the whole long unthinkable future, is the tliought and 
realized purpose of one heart, perj^etuating in it the memory 
of the loved and lost, by bestowing its blessings on thousands 
of living, and upon tens of thousands yet unborn. It comes 
to you, not from a dead hand, through the official act of a 
legal representative, but devoted to its high pur2:)ose by pulsa- 
ting heart, it gracefully passes to you from a living hand. 

We are now assembled in pursuance of the formal action of 
this town, in order that for it as a munici])aliiy, and for our- 
selves, its citizens, its children, its friends, we may, by for- 
mal words, make record of our full apjjreciation of the great 
and abiding usefulness of these structures ; may for ourselves 
and the multitude that shall come after us, make grateful 
recognition and acknowledgment of the wise and graceful 
generosity of the donor of this home of letters and learning, 
and of the liberality of citizens and friends, which supple- 
menting the generous appropriation by the municipality, has 



14 fiOODNOW LIBRARY AND SCHOOt 

l>rovi<lc!*l the present tasteful and commodious Town Hall. 
On this beautiful autumnal day, when here and there the 
glowino- tints remind us that soon, 

Tho woods shall wear their robes of praise, 

The south winds softly sigh, 
Aud calm, sweet days, in golden haze 

Melt down the amber sky, 

witli not a few of us looking upon the "things that are 
seen, tlirough memory's sunset air," let all our " liearts be 
young again, and the windows of our souls wide o])en to the 
sun," wliile we joyfullj' and thankfully dedicate these two 
buildings to the noble uses and purposes of their erection. 



Dedicatory Address 



BY NATHAN ALLEN, M. D., LL. D. 



The occasion that has convened this audience is one of 
special interest to the residents and natives of Princeton. 
The incorporation of the town in 1759, and its centennial 
observance in 1859, were important events, but the transac- 
tions of this day may in time prove equally as important. A 
train of influences may here be started which will not only 
deeply interest those present, but their effects may be trans- 
mitted for generations. It will be our aim, in this adtlress, 
not to deal in generalities or sentiments, gathered simply 
for the present occasion, but to discuss topics of vital import- 
ance, which may be turned to a more practical account. 
Instead of rehearsing things common and known, let us rather 
seek for hidden treasures — for new ideas and truths. We 
meet in some respects as the representatives of a great family, 
most of whom have already departed. In a review of the 
early history and character of this family, by a careful 
analysis of facts and in the spirit of charity, let us inquire 
if lessons may not be gleaned from this source, for our mutual 
improvement and edification. 

One hundred and fifty years ago the territory occupied by 
this town was a complete wilderness. The first settlement 
made was in 1743, by Joshua Wilder, from Lancaster. In 
1752 there were five families, and in 1759 tliey had increased 



16 GOODNOW LIBRARY AND SCHOOL 

to thirty famili(,'s, with seventy-four proprietors of land, show- 
ing a large number of single, and probably young, men 
preparing for permanent settlement. In October, 1759, the 
place was incorporated, after whicli the ))Opulation increased 
rapidly, so that in ten years there were one hundred and 
nineteen families, and in 1790, when the first census of the 
state was taken, it had ten hundred and forty-two inhabitants. 
In 1885, at the last census, Princeton had only ten hundred 
and thirty-eight — actually four persons less than it had in 
1790, almost one hundred years ago. 

Every race and tribe of people are marked with certain 
characteristics ; so are every community and family. There 
were peculiarities connected with this settlement which had a 
very marked influence on the life and character of its inhabi- 
tants. These settlers were mostly young men, coming from 
the earlier-settled towns in the eastern part of the state, such 
as Dedham and Medford, Sudbury and Watertown, Concord 
and Lexington, and a few from the adjoining towns of Lancas- 
ter and Rutland. They did not come as a colony, nor by way 
of acquaintance or relationship, but single and alone from 
almost as many different places. There was no speculation in 
the enterprise, no scheme for obtaining an easy living, or 
thought of returning to home comforts. 

What, then, were the attractions and the motives V The 
place was not made up of a level plain or intervale land, 
where the soil was so rich that crops would grow without 
much labor, nor was it located in valleys warmed by the sun, 
and protected by higher grounds from the storms and the cold. 
But here were hills, rocks, and forests unequaled at the time. 
The soil was good, but required the hardest possible labor for 
its cultivation — a life-battle with Nature's elements. To 
overcome such obstacles recjuired indomitable energy, a self- 
reliance and will-power that never falter. Only those who 



BUILDING AN1> BAGU HALL 17 

had such qualities would here seek a home ! " The people 
who settled this town," says the historian of Worcester 
county, " labored at first under very great difficulties by reas(^n 
of the mountainous, rocky, and naturally moist state of their 
lands, together with the prodigious quantities of heavy timber 
with which the ground was covered." As farming was the 
sole business of these settlers, every one must select a separate 
spot for a permanent home. Thus these hills and slopes had, 
in 1790, one hundred and forty-four dwellings scattered in 
every part of the town. Partly uu account of this separation 
of residence, and partly because the heads of these families 
were confined closely at home with work, there was little time 
or occasion for social intercourse. Neither was there opportu- 
nity to mingle much in society, or gather information from 
books or by travel. 

Under these circumstances what should we expect woutd be 
the development and character of such a people V There are 
three sources from which human character is evolved : 1st, 
From natural talent or inherited qualities ; 2d, From the daily 
habits of the body and of the mind ; 8d, From the environ- 
ments and surroundings of one's daily life. It is very evident 
that the natural qualities, both physical and mental, of these 
settlers were of the highest order, as they came from the best 
Puritan stock. It needs no argument to prove that farm- 
work for men and domestic labor for women are calculated, 
above all other enndoyments, to develop strong and healthy 
bodies, especially under such circumstances. Then, the sur- 
roundings of these settlers — the pure air and water, the hills, 
the rocks, and the forests — must have had a powerful infiu- 
ence in develoi)ing both body and mind. 

The theory has been advocated, that long residence in tilling 
the land in a hill-country is calculated not only to give liealtli 
and strength, but to develop particularly the frame-work of 
3 



18 



(iOODNOW LIBRARY AND SCHOOL 



the body, making taller and larger-sized men. Physiology 
would favor this view, as such a situation calls into exercise 
more especially the muscles of the legs and of the spine. 

It has been admitted everywhere by observers, travelers, 
and writers, that the hills and mountains have a marked 
influence upon character. Especially must this be the case 
with a people cultivating the land. This is not a new theory. 
In the time of Joshua we read of a tribe called the " Anakim," 
— giants in the land — and the Bible states that they came 
fi-om the " Hill Country." Other illustrations from history 
might be given, did time permit. In our late civil war it was 
said the regiments from Vermont and Tennessee, living in a 
mountainous region, contained the largest and tallest soldiers. 
It is well known that the Scotch, who have lived for genera- 
tions on the Highlands, have a much larger and better physical 
development than those who have always lived on the low 
grounds. While we would not attempt to prove that the 
settlers here and their descendants were " giants," we main- 
tain that as a whole they were remarkably well developed 
in size, proportion, and height. 

Physiology teaches that there is a normal standard of the 
human body, and we believe the early inhabitants of this town 
ai»])roached nearer this standard than could readily be fovxnd 
elsewhere. If such men and women as lived here one hundred 
years ago, with physical development marked in form, size, 
and proportion, and so expressive of strength, health, and 
intelligence, should appear in society at the ]3i'esent day, they 
would attract attention and admiration on every side. 

The superior physical development of the settlers here laid 
the foundation for a marked mental and moral character. 
While there was little opportunity for securing culture, 
refinement, and general knowledge, there were elements of 
character developed which were marked and had a dominating 



iiUlLbll^G AND KAGG HALL 19 

influence. None but tliose of indomitable energy and strong- 
will-power would ever have settled in such a place. Then, in 
subduing Nature's liardest elements ; in removing these rocks 
and forest-trees, root and l)ranch ; in reducing this hilly and 
tough ground to a state of cultivation, a)id providing a 
pleasant home for a family, they developed self-confidence and 
self-reliance. 

Add to this the fact that these settlers lived scattered, cacli 
one very much by himself; they did their own thinking, and 
formed their own opinions, and were accustomed to look at 
things generally from one point of view. What must be the 
effect of such training and manner of living, but to create an 
intense individuality? — or, in other words, a predominance 
of those faculties which in activity and strength centre very 
much in self and self-interests. Such a result would follow as 
a matter of necessity, in accordance with the laws of the 
brain and the mind. 

At the same time a strong religious influence ])revailed 
among these settlers, and with most of them religion was 
considered paramount to everything else. Their convictions 
were positive on all subjects coming before them, and every 
man formed decided and indej>endcnt ojunious of his own. 
And when occasion offered they were not backward in 
expressing their opinions. Also, there was a feeling of 
general equality among them. They acknowledged no man 
master, nor did they sul>mit graciously to leaders. Tliey were 
in fact all leaders. 

Now, a people or community whose character is based upon 
such elements will move along quietly and harmoniously 
where no questions arise to divide their opinions or touch 
tlieir interests. An outside foe they could battle with 
shoulder to shoulder, Init if their convenience or interests 
were in the least disturbed from within, there was no such 



20 goodkow Lrr.RARY ANr> school 

union or harmony of action. In the case of their first ^minis- 
ter, Rev. Timothy Fuller, at some sliglit show of toryism and, 
as it was thought, some lack of attention to parochial duties, 
they called him to account, face to face, with strong language 
and sharp denunciation, and no apology or explanation could 
reconcile them. At the same time they had bitter conten- 
tions among themselves in laying out roads and in the selec- 
tion of a place to build a meeting-house. When they could 
not agree among themselves, its location was referred to three 
prominent men in adjoining towns, but the report of their 
committee not suiting them was forthwith rejected. 

The character of these settlers was conspicuously marked at 
the approach of and during the Revolutionary war. The very 
next year (17B7) after the voters of Boston in convention 
had denounced the acts of parliament in taxing tea and other 
articles, the voters of Princeton came together and ])assed 
very strong resolutions. No town in the state was more posi- 
tive and outspoken on the subject, or more liberal in sending 
soldiers to the war, as well as in providing means for their 
support. In all this work, carried on for nearly twenty years, 
they were united and self-sacrificing ; but not so in their town 
business and church meetings. Mere this intense individual- 
ism was very marked. These disagreements, these conten- 
tions in public matters, and especially religious, carried on for 
a long time, are here and elsewhere well known. In the two 
small histories of Princeton, just half of one and more than 
two-thirds of the other are devoted to " Ecclesiastical His- 
tory." It is not so much the ]n-ominence of ecclesiastical 
matters in the history of the town, as the spirit and character 
with which they were conducted. If it had not been for this 
intense individualism that pervaded the early settlers and 
their immediate descendants, there never would have been 
occasion for so much of this history. 



lUTir,D[NrT AT^n r.AGft halt, 21 

In pointing out certain peouliarities in the character of 
these settlers, it is not done so much by way of reflection or 
criticism, as for explanation and instruction. The fault was 
partly in the times and partly in their situation, circumstan- 
ces, and manner of living. In attempting to analyze philo- 
so})hically the constituents of their character, we find them 
l:)ased principally upon the faculties of self-esteem, firmness, 
and conscience, and in their exercise influenced very much by 
great zeal and a spirit of coml)ativeness. Hence the charac- 
ter was not complete, not well-rounded, but based too much 
u])on a few faculties of the mind, which have reference chiefly 
to the individual. It is questionable whether any town in 
the region as a whole can present such elements of charac- 
ter, so marked in degree and commanding in influence. 

The organization of man shows that he never was intended 
to live alone, or be confined to a single neighborhood. In this 
way his nature would never be fully developed. Ilis relations 
to others, to society, and to humanity at large, must be taken 
into account. Neither was it ever intended that man should 
live for himself only, nor for his own family, nor for the pres- 
ent generation. In order to develop the highest kind of char- 
acter, complete in all its parts, the true nature of man and 
his relations to others must be considered. In this way the 
highest Christian graces would take the lead, and constitute 
the crowning glory of all other attril)utes. Ignorance, preju- 
dice, and selfishness would not be so cons]iicuous — ceilainlv 
would not have a controlling influence. 

One of the marked features of the character under discus- 
sion, is the high-tone<l sense of justice and human i-ights. It 
would seem as though every individual were constantly on the 
sharp lookout for his rights, jiersonal and in;dienal)le, to see 
that they were not trifled with, nor violated. Hence great 
interest was taken in the acts of o-overnment, national and 



22 GOODXo-\v Lir.nARV aIsto srrtooi, 

legislative, bearing on these jioints. In the history of no 
town in the state can there be found stronger advocates for 
human rights, for a free jiress and free speecli. Illustrations 
under this head of great interest might be given, did time 
permit. 

Growing out of this same organization there are elements of 
character that make their mark in other ways. This might 
show itself in the case of those leaving their native town to 
seek their fortune in other parts, or in the case of those who 
passed their lives at the old homestead. Here an immense 
work lias been done, when we consider the almost insurmount- 
able obstacles in the hills, the rocks and the trees that Nature 
had interposed in the way of cultivating the land. In these 
changes, it is impossible for us to realize the toils, the labors, 
and the sacrifices of these settlers. 

In 1793, Peter Whitney, in his history of Worcester 
county, says : "In a little more than thirty years from its 
incorporation, Princeton has surprisingly increased in num- 
bers and wealth. The finest of beef is fatted, and vast quan- 
tities of butter and cheese produced, and from the appearance 
of their buildings and farms, we must judge that the people 
are very industrious." In 1797, President Dwight, of Yale 
college, in his tour through New England, speaks of Prince- 
ton as a fine grazing town, and adds: "The houses of these 
inhabitants and the appearance of their farms are sufficient 
indications of prosperity, and the people are distinguished for 
industry, sobriety, and sound morals." Such testimonials, 
from such authorities, are certainly creditable to any town. 

There is one other index of character, to which we have not 
alluded — that is, education. One of the first things these 
settlers attended to was the education of their children. 
Schools were early established throughout the town, were lib- 
erally supported, and as most of these settlers had large fami- 



BUILDING AND liAGG HALL 



23 



lies, there was no lack of children. In 1769, ten years after 
the incorporation of the town, there were one hundred and 
nineteen families, and theywere divided into six divisions or 
school-districts, and the presumption is that some, if not most, 
of these schools were larger than they are at the present day. 

The interest in higher education among a people is shown by 
the number sent to college. One hundred years ago the num- 
ber of young men sent to college was comparatively small. 
Prior to 1800, six students from Princeton had graduated from 
college, and all became clergymen. Two of these, Leonard 
Woods and Thomas Mason, entered Harvard University in 
1792, and graduated in 1796. They were described as large, 
well-proportioned, and good-looking, standing six feet in 
height. At that time wrestling was the great game in 
English Universities, and its spirit and practice had been 
thoroughly infused into the Harvard students. Wrestling as 
a game calls into exercise a greater number and variety of 
muscles than ball-playing or boat-rowing, and in order to 
excel, requires more skill, agility, and general strength than 
any other game. 

One of these young men, Thomas Mason, possessed a 
remarkably strong and well- developed body, and had his mus- 
cles so thoroughly trained that he could lay under his feet any 
member of his class. In all games of this kind in the univer- 
sity he was sure to carry off the palm, having the name of 
being the best wrestler in the institution. The other student, 
Leonard Woods, excelled in brain-power. The class was said 
to possess an unusual number of promising students, but this 
one led the whole class in scholarship, and at the graduation 
gave the valedictory address. This student reached distinc- 
tion in his profession, and in his department of study left 
a reputation unsurpassed at the time in the country. Several 
of the other Princeton students became distinguished in their 
day. 



24 liOODNOW LIBKARY A:ND SCHOOL 

Let me refer lo one born liere as early as in 1761, who was 
tlie first person in town to become distinguished. Edward 
Savage had a genius for portrait painting. He had no books 
nor teacher, and was obliged to resort to the rudest materials 
for improving his skill and taste in painting. After exi)eri- 
menting thus for some years, he determined to try his for- 
tune. He repaired to Philadel})hia when General Washington 
was President of the United States, and solicited the favor of 
painting the Washington family. This he did very success- 
fully, and as he could not find any engraver at the time, he 
engraved it himself. This painting was said to be one of the 
best ever taken of Washington, and such was the demand for 
it, that some ten thousand copies were soon disposed of for 
nine dollars apiece. This same young man was soon found in 
London, taking lessons in painting of Sir Benjamin West, 
and afterwards he spent some time in Italy as a pupil of the 
great masters of the art. Upon his return to this country he 
had for a while an ofiice in New York, and then in Boston, 
and was one of the prime movers in establishing the New- 
England museum. Writers who knew his history well, state 
that he had talents as a painter of high order, and with appli- 
cation he might have reached distinction, but attempted to do 
too many things. He died early and is buried in the western 
])art of the town. 

As another evidence of their interest in education, we refer 
to a library started here before 1790, which was one of the 
first in the state. Peter Whitney, in his history of Worcester 
county, in 1793, says : " In Princeton they have a very hand- 
some social library established, of the value of upwards of £70 
— ten pounds whereof were given by the Hon. Judge Gill." 
This library in honor of Judge Gill was called the "Gill 
Library." Whitney, in sketching fifty towns, then composing 
the county, alludes to the existence of only one other library, 



BUILDING AND BAGG HALL 25 

and that was in Worcester. The inference is that these were 
the only two public libraries at that time in the county. 

This library in Princeton was owned by sharehold- 
ers, there being £60 contributed besides what Judge Gill 
gare. A rule was adopted that each shareholder should pay 
an annual tax of one shilling, and when not j^aid and the 
arrearage should reach five dollars, the shareholder forfeited 
his stock. Individuals outside of the stockholders Avere 
obliged to pay a small sum for the use of books. The number 
of shareholders in this library gradually became reduced, as 
well as the interest in it. In 1857 Mr. John Brooks bought 
this library for a nominal sum, and removed it to his house, 
which in 1873 was burnt, with the library, catalogue, records, 
etc. ' 

Moses Gill, whose name is here introduced as Judge Gill, 
was the most distinguished citizen that ever lived in the 
town. In early life he was a merchant in Boston, and mar- 
ried the only surviving daughter of Rev. Thomas Prince, from 
whom Princeton derived its name. As the family possessed a 
large landed estate in the town, Mr. Gill removed here in 
1767. During his residence of over thirty years he held most 
important offices. He represented the town many years in 
the legislature ; he was judge of the Court of Common Pleas 
for Worcester county ; was a member for some time of the 
governor's council, and in 1794 was elected lieutenant-gover- 
nor, and on the death of Governor Sumner, in 1799, he acted 
as governor for six months, but he died in 1800, while holding 
the office of lieutenant-governor. 

Upon the death of his first wife Mr, Gill married Miss 
Rebecca Boylston of Boston, which was the means of bring- 
ing Ward Nicholas Boylston to this town, who occupied the 
Gill place. He made his home here for nearly thirty years, 
3,nd without exaggeration it may be said the Boylston home- 
4 



26 GOODNOW LIIIKAKY AND SCHOOL 

stead was the most notable place in Worcester county. His 
remains rest in a beantiful lot opposite the ])lace of our meet- 
ing. While time will not allow further notice of Mr. Boyl- 
ston, I wish to mention one fact. From intimate personal 
acquaintance in London with the celebrated Dr. John Hun- 
ter, and having had two uncles physicians, Mr. Boylston 
became greatly interested in medicine and in this profession. 
As evidence of this interest he uia<le three liberal donations 
to Harvard university, to establish, 1st, a medical library; 2d, 
an anatomical museum ; 3d, to furnish prize medals for the 
best essays on medical subjects, each one bearing the name 
"Boylston," now for over fifty years. After his death a dis- 
tinguished writer referred thus to Mr. Boylston: "He has 
done more to raise the standard of the medical profession in 
this commonwealth than all others out of the medical [>rofes- 
sioh." 

Without occu])ying further time in discussing the histoiy 
and character of the early settlers of the town, we come now 
to consider the objects which have brought us together: 
Tlie dedication of two new puhlic haildhKjs. 

I. BAGG HALL. 

This building is intended to answer not only for a town- 
house, but for various other purposes. All ])ublic bodies, and 
especially towns, must have a set place for the transaction of 
business. The town of Princeton was incorporated Oct. 20, 
1759, and the first meeting for organization was held Dec. 24, 
1759, at the public house of Abijah Moore. The business of 
the town was transacted here till their first meeting-house was 
built in 1762, when the business was transferred to that place. 
Here it was continued till 1797, when upon the building of a 
new meeting-house the old one was disposed of. The town 
business was then removed to the Central school-house, situ- 



lUTlLbmr. AND BAGO HALL "li 

atetl on the hill near the chuieli, where it was continued for 
forty-five years. But, in 1816, by a vote the name was 
changed from "sciiool-house " to "town house," and in 1818 
Mr. Boylston gave 1500, which when sufficiently increased 
by interest was to be ajiplied for building a new town-house. 
In 1842 this sum, with the interest at the time, was expended 
in erecting a new building at the foot of the hill, nearly 
opposite the new church. 

Tliis new building was called " Boylston Hall," after the 
name of the donor, and the business of the town was 
transacted there forty years, till the building was bui-nt in 
September, 1882. The town meetings were then lield in 
Mr. Bcaman's hall at the Wachusett house. In Septeml)ei', 
1883, the town voted to build a new town-house, an<l at the 
March meeting, 1884, the following gentlemen were chosen 
as a building committee : I. F. Thompson, Rufus Davis, 
Nelson S. Howard, Henry F. Sanborn, and Moses H. liullard. 
The architect, Mr. Earle, of Worcester, was th(i same who 
drew u[) the plan of the Memorial building. Tlu' committee 
entered upon their duties at once, and spent mucli time upon 
the work. The building was so far advanced that the first 
meeting for town business was held in it, in November, 188r), 
but it was not comi»k'ted till within a few months. This 
hall is thoroughly built, is well ])roportioned, and finished 
inside with the best of material and in good taste. The 
whole building is a credit to the architect and to the com- 
mittee. It is doubtful whether any small town in the state 
has a hall so convenient and so commodious for all local 
purposes. 

In dedicating this new hall let us notice some of its 
advantages over the old town-house. That building wns 
only one-story high, 04x40 feet in length and wi<Uh, with a 
desk and platform, and the whole s])ace occujiied by one 



'28 GOODNOW LIBRARY AND Sf'HOOL 

large room. As it was built for town-meetings it was not 
used for niucli else, excej^t an occasional fair, festival, or 
concert. The new building is two-stories high, with wide 
halls for entrance, two good-sized reception rooms, a con- 
venient kitchen, and a dining-room sutHciently large to 
entertain a hundred guests. In the upper story is a large 
hall, seating conveniently four hundred persons, with gallery, 
settees, and stage, with curtain, side-shades, and all conven- 
iences for lectures, concerts, tableaux, exhibitions, dramatic 
performances, etc. It is admirably adapted for all home 
entertainments, as well as for those introduced from abroad. 
It appeal's that since the hall was completed it has been in 
constant demand for some such purpose. 

What, now, is to be the effect of such gatherings? By 
this acquaintance and social intercouse will not the young 
especially be united in sympathy, fellowship, and means of 
self-improvement ? Will it not serve to attach the young 
more to the place and induce them to settle down at home 
rather than remove to the city ? Is it not a natural, healthy 
development of a class of faculties that in the early history 
of the town were not sufficiently called into exercise ? By 
bringing all classes together, making them better acquainted, 
creating common sympathies and interests, you increase 
their happiness and make them more contented with their 
lot. This harmonizes with the laws of physiology, inasmuch 
as it is calculated to secure a better development of both 
body and mind. 

There is one advantage in this new hall that deserves 
special notice. The annual town-meetings in this place 
have always been well attended, and sometimes very exciting. 
Questions, personal and local, come up that call out warm 
discussions and at times lead to bitter controversy. These 
meetings are frequently jirotracted, consuming the whole 



ntriLDlNC} AND BAGG HALL ^9 

day. Now, by means of this kitclieu convenience, a lunch is 
prepared by the hidies, so that the meeting can take an 
intermission while the speakers and voters attend to the 
wants of the stomach. This is a great improvement ; will 
save much unpleasant feeling and bitter wrangling. It is 
said a full stomach makes a man good-natured ; but how 
different the temper of those town-meetings on the hill, 
occupying all day, and half a mile away from any food ! 

We come now to the second {niblic building for dedication, 
which is known as the 

GooDNOAv ME:\roRiAL Building, 

intended for a library, reading-room, and school. ' 

Formerly libraries were confined almost wholly to institu- 
tions of learning. Men engaged in the different professions, 
and a few others of culture and wealtli, collected books, for 
their own use, amounting sometimes to large libraries. Tiie 
idea of providing books for free circulation and use among all 
classes, was never entertained till some fifty years ago. 
Horace Mann, in his great zeal for promoting the benefits of 
the common school, broached the idea of establishing a small 
library in every school district. In April, 1837, the legislature 
passed an act favorable to this theory. Alter an* experiment 
of several years, in this direction, with partial success, so many 
difficulties arose in the way of its practical apitlieation, that 
the plan was abandoned. 

In the meantime, very much interest had been awakened 
on the subject. The attention of thoughtful persons was 
directed to the plan of establishing free libraries under the 
management of cities and towns. Accordingly the legislature, 
in the winter of 1851, passed an act to "authorize cities and 
towns to establish and maintain free libraries."" In this same 
year the city authorities of New Bedford voted to establish 



o!) ttOODKOW T,1RRARY AXD RPttOoV, 

:x,free lihrjry^ and a}j])ropri:ited $1,5U0 lor this purpose. As 
this was the first municipal action on the subject, New Bed- 
ford lias the credit of establishing the first free ctty lihraTy. 

Hon. George S. Boutwell, in some remarks recently made at 
the dedication of a building for a town-library in Littleton, on 
referring to legislative action in 1851, said there were in the 
state i)rior to that time seven free libraries, started on the 
social plan and owned by clubs or associations, but which for 
various reasons had been opened free to the public. These 
were probably small libraries, with a very limited circulation, 
and could not be considered public free libraries in the same 
sense as those organized under the action of the legislature. 

About this time Mr. Joshua Bates, of London, gave 150,000 
to the city library of Boston, which w\as the largest donation 
that had ever then been given in New England, exclusively for 
books. In his letter accompanying the gift, Mr. liates refers 
to his early life in a rural town near Boston, stating how, 
when young, he felt the need of books, indicating that this 
had had a marked influence in prompting him to make so 
large a donation. This great library of Boston soon became 
free to all its inhabitants, and other cities followed the 
example. 

This movement of establishing free public libraries was so 
popular that in cities and towns where there w^ere school or 
social libraries, they became generally merged in one public 
library. For thirty years this question of estaldishing free 
libraries has steadily progressed, so that not only every city 
in the state has now a free ])ublic library, but more than 
three-fourths of the towns have such a library. Worcester 
county is highly favored, as all the towns in the county 
except three have a free library. The size of these libraries 
varies in the towms, ranging from two thousand to twelve 
thousand volumes, but in the cities they are much larger. In 



BUILDING AND IJAGG HALL 



31 



most cases, provision is made for their steady increase, either 
by annual appropriation or by funds contributed for that 
purpose. 

In the matter of educating the people, this introduction of 
free libraries is a very important movement. One great 
o])ject of the Pilgrim Fathers was to educate the people, so 
that "good learning should not perish from among them." 
The establishment of common schools was regarded at the 
time as the most important agency for this purpose. For 
two hundred years in New England the common schools have 
been doing their work of educating the people. Now, as a 
supplement, comes the establishment of free public libraries 
in all our cities and in most of tlie towns. This is brincfiiigr, 
as it were, the school, the college, and the university to every 
man's door, whether he be rich or poor. No other nation or 
people on the globe was ever blessed with such advantages. 
Surely good learning should not perish among such a peo])le. 

These free public libraries are destined, we believe, to 
become powerful agents in the education of our people. 
Wherever they have been established they have infused into 
the community new interest and demand for books, and 
multiplied the number of readers. Publishers are complaining 
that they can not sell, as formerly, new books, even to pro- 
fessional men, as they resort now to free libraries for their 
reading. In fact, all classes are doing this more and more. 
The time is not far distant when these libraries will be con- 
sidered a necessary part of public education, as much so as 
the common school, and must be supported in the same 
manner. 

Connected with the establishment of these libraries a term 
has been appropriated very significant, viz.. Memorial. It 
means a reminder or remembrance of something or somebody, 
stored deep in the memory. In other words, it is a kind of 



32 GOODXOW LlIiJtAKV AND SCHOOL 

living monument for some one gone before. Since our late 
civil war, halls, buildings, and monuments have been erected 
by friends, to memorialize the death and noble deeds of our 
soldiers. All this is becoming and praiseworthy ; but still 
more so, when an individual by his own contributions, instead 
of erecting a marble monument or putting in stained windows, 
shall erect a library building, or endow a library, as a memo- 
rial of a lost friend. The former may please the eye and 
gratify the taste, but a library building and good books can be 
converted to most useful purposes. Where and when such a 
memorial for a lost friend was first brought into existence, 
and who the individual was that first pi-ojected the idea, or set 
the example, we can not find out ; but whoever he may be, he 
should be held in everlasting remembrance ! Love and affec- 
tion for a lost relative which, consecrated in books, will diffuse 
everywhere useful knowledge, deserve the highest commen- 
dation. What a quiet, generous, and philanthropic way of 
doing good ! The polished marble and the stained window 
may ]»lease a few, but even these must perish, while conse- 
crated affection in books may exercise a blessed influence for 
generations, reaching even beyond this life. 

It is not very many years since the first building was ei-ected 
with the term " memorial " attached to it. In some instances, 
the memorial refers to the donor, in others, to a family or lost 
friends in general, while a few designate the name or names 
of the lost. Such is the case with the memorial builr^ng 
which we come this day to dedicate. 

On the 1st of February, 1884, the following business trans- 
action took place. The deed i-eads thus : 

" I, Edward A Goodnow, in consideration of the good-will 
and affection which I bear to my native town of Princeton, 
hereby give, grant, and convey to said town, a certain 
lot of land, situated in the center of said town, with tb? 



r>UILI)IN(; AND I'.AGd HALL 



33 



memorial building, which I have thereon erected in memory 
of my wives and only son, the descendants of an esteemed and 
honored family, long resident in said town, with the intent to 
establish a free public library and reading-room for the use 
and enjoyment of the inhabitants of said town of Princeton." 

On the other side, at a meeting of the legal voters of the 
town, Feb. 7, 1884, these two resolutions were unanimously 
adopted : 

" Voted, that the town gratefully acknowledges the con- 
siderate liberality of Mr. Goodnow, in the permanent provis- 
ion for the educational interests of the present and future 
inhabitants of his native town, by the erection of an elegant, 
capacious, and commodious edifice for school and lil^rary pur- 
poses, amply furnished, and providing for its maintenance and 
use. 

" Voted, that in accepting this donation, the town tenders 
its thanks to Mr. Goodnow, and pledges itself to pay particu- 
lar attention to the edifice itself, and both objects to which it 
is devoted by the wishes and provisions of the donor." 

The words here quoted say : "In consideration of the good- 
will and affection I bear my native town, I present to it tliis 
memorial building, to be used for a library, reading-room, and 
school." The officers of the town, in accepting the gift and 
returning thanks to the donor for the same, pledge him that, 
in the care and uses of this building, they will faithfully cany 
out his intentions and bequests. We meet here to-day to 
ratify this transaction ; to dedicate this building to the pur- 
poses intended ; to consider on the one hand the propriety, 
the value, and sacredness of the gift, and on the other, the 
need, the appropriateness, and advantages of such a gift. 

The building itself is an educator in the highest and 
broadest sense. Its site, overlooking an extended and diversi- 
fied landscape ; its beauties of architecture, in form, propor- 
tion, and taste; its conveniences for the purposes intended, 
and the thoroughness of construction — these can not be 



34 GOODNOW LIIUIARY AND SCHOOL 

described in language; they must be seeu and studied. Its 
foundation is on a rock, where it will stand, we will not say 
forever^ but as long as these hills and rocks retain their jires- 
ent position, it will stand as a monument to Mr. Goodnow's 
liberality. 

In respect to education the provisions made seem to be just 
what were needed. Two schools — a primary and gram- 
mar — liave been gathered in larger numbers and far pleas- 
anter quarters than they ever have had before. The books 
distributed in three separate libraries in the town have been 
brought together and placed upon the shelves of a beautiful 
library-room. The whole number of books amount to nearly 
two thousand volumes, and a wise provision is made for an 
annual increase of new books. Add to this a reading-room 
su[)plied with newspapers and journals, which is a rare thing 
in a small country town. It is gratifying to know that there 
has been an increased demand for books and more reading, 
since these pleasant quarters were opened. 

What stronger evidence of good-will to one's native i>lace 
than the presentation of a building so beautiful, so capacious, 
and so useful as the one before us? How could one's affec- 
tion for, and interest in, the welfare of the young be more 
strikingly manifested than in providing superioi accommo- 
dations for public schools? Then, add to this, the most 
valuable of all treasures for the young — books; a free access 
to a large library ! What is there more useful or more valua- 
ble to the young than good books ? It is here, too, in these 
small country towns, with a scattered population, where such 
books are most needed. 

\\\ a rural town not twenty miles from this place, a gentle- 
m;in of my acquaintance died, a few years since. When a 
bo}', poor, living in this same town, he felt greatly the need of 
books, and read everything he could find. On reaching adult 



r.ini.bma a\i-> bagg hall 35 

age he went to a city, made money, and returned to die in liis 
native place. After much reflection as to where and hoAv liis 
money would do the most good, he decided in favor of ])ro- 
viding books for young men, and gave 850,000 to Andierst 
college, the income of which only was to be expended in pur- 
chasing books for the use of students. While language can not 
express the good whicli this donation may do in that college, 
there is no question but that books are equally as much needed 
by the young in our rural districts. It will be readily admitted 
that from twelve to eighteen is the most critical period in the 
life of the young, when habits and opinions are formed which 
determine the character afterwards. This is the time, then, 
when good influences should be brought to bear upon the 
young, and free public libraries are just adapted for this i)ur- 
jjose. But it is not the young only who would be benefited. 
How many invalids — how many women confined at home by 
domestic duties — to whom books will bring cheer and com- 
fort ! Then, what lessons of instruction and wisdom, what 
words of encouragement and hopes of a better life, may they 
bring to the care-worn and weary, to the lonely and discon- 
solate? In books we have the best thoughts of the dead and 
the living; in books we find the best of company, without 
distinction. In no other way can you be so highly and profit- 
ably entertained, and that free in your own honies. 

It is imi:)0ssible to realize how much greater the advantages 
for reading are at the present day over those of one hundi-ed 
years ago. Many families then had not more than ten or 
twelve books, such as the Bible, the Psalms, the catechism, 
the spelling book, two or three other school books, and, per- 
haps, "Robinson Crusoe," "Pilgrim's Progress," "Fox's Mar- 
tyrs," etc. Where there were children these were read, over 
and over. Within a few years books have multijilied in a 
most surprising manner ; so have jteriodicals and newsjtapers 
of all kinds. 



'3^ GOODNTOXv Lrftl^ARY AND SmoOL 

Let us make a contrast. Sixty years ago this very year, 1 
walked repeatedly six miles to obtain a book from the Gill 
library, which was kept in the dwelling house of Rev. Mr. 
Clark. It was not a free library, but owned by shareholders, 
and outsiders were obliged to pay a small sum for the loan of 
a book. It was a small library of some two hundred volumes, 
kept in a book-case standing on one side of a sitting-room. 
But how different are the present advantages of reading for 
young people in this town ! Look at your beautiful building 
provided with a library of two thousand volumes already 
on its shelves, and a well-furnished reading-room attached, 
and all this free ! Language can not well describe the dif- 
feience. 

There is another point of view which deserves notice. In a 
country town like this, there may be some young man or 
young woman having special gifts or genius for this or that 
brancli of study ; suppose this individual is thirsting for 
knowledge on that particular subject — that he is looking 
to catch some new ideas, some new views, etc. What a boon 
is such a library to him ! A single book may change his 
whole course of life ! 

Let me give the names of two young men, within my own 
recollection, who inherited remarkable inventive talents. Tl.e 
names of these young men were Davis — Ari and Daniel. 
After displaying unusual meclianical skill and ingenuity at 
their home here, they opened a shop and rooms in Boston. 
In two most important branches of science they took the lead 
in point of discovery and knowledge over any other men in 
the United States. For years their office in Boston was 
visited by the savans of science from far and near. In prose- 
cuting their inquiries and inventions they came very near 
making the two most brilliant discoveries of the age, and in 
one there was some question of priority in the invention.* 

*Sewiug macliiue. 



VmiLDINd AND r.AQG IlAVi. 3t 

But, even as it was, had these men secured patents on all their 
inventions, and stuck to their business, they might have 
become millionaires. Plad these young men in early life had 
the training of the present day, and the advantages of such a 
library as the young in Princeton now have, they might have 
been more successful. But there still may be lads coming 
upon tlie stage in this town, possessing a genius or high order 
of talent, thirsting for knowledge — to such young persons 
what a blessing will this library be ! 

There is another advantage that may be derived from this 
library— that is, to attach young jieople to their native |)lace. 
It may operate thus in different ways. The minds of the 
young naturally crave for knowledge of some kind, the same 
as the stomach does for food. A good assortment of books 
that can be had at any time, and read at convenience or 
leisure, meets just this want. By the use of books the young 
become better informed as to past and present history, and as 
to what is going on in the world. They learn the successes 
and failures of others, the risks of business, and the clianges 
everywhere occurring. These facts lead them to reflect and 
consider, as well as compare their situation with others and 
inquire if, all things taken into account, they are not best off 
at home. The more intelligent young jjeople become, the 
Aviser is their action, and the more contented are they with 
their lot. One means of getting attached to a place is* not 
only the advantages it possesses, but the large circle of 
friends and acquaintances that one makes. 

Again : there is another point which should not be ])assed 
by unnoticed. The greatest income, and most important busi- 
ness of the town, aside from its farming interest, arises from 
the entertainment of summer cotiipany. Now tliis library and 
reading-room must constitute an attraction to draw pe()j)le 
here from year to year. This class of people have a large 



88 GOObNOW LIBRARY AND SrHOoV, 

supply of books and newspapers at their homes, and if they 
can find the same things here, it is an attraction. Just so far 
as the inhabitants are thus benefited, Mr. Goodnow is a bene- 
factor. 

While making this reference, let me say a word in res])ect 
to tlie place as a health resort. Nowhere in the state can 
there be found iHirer air, purer water, purer soil. These are 
the primary conditions of good health. No town in the state 
can present as much natural scenery, so beautiful, so pictur- 
esque, so romantic, and at the same time, with a landscape so 
large and diversified. All statistics, past and present, show that 
it is one of the healthiest towns in the state. The place has 
been well patronized for many years, and that, too, by the 
best of company. And what affords a strong recommendation 
in its favor, is that the same company return here year after 
year. 

There is still a broader and higher view of the subject. 
The advantages connected with the two buildings which we 
this day dedicate, are destined, we believe, in time to have a 
marked influence upon the habits and character of this peo- 
ple. The very buildings themselves are educators. Tliey 
afford occasion and conveniences of bringing peoi)le together 
in contact with one another. Here all classes, both young and 
old, can meet on common ground and become acquainted witli 
individuals from all parts of the town. 

In this way the social faculties particularly will be devel- 
oped and brought into pleasant and harmonious exercise. 
Questions, local and general, will naturally come up for dis- 
cussion, the views and opinions of different persons will be 
compared, and an opportunity be given to see things from 
different points of view. Add to this, free access to books 
journals, and newspapers, such a community will become 
intelligent and conversant with what is going on in society 



BUILDIKG AND I'.AGG HALL 39 

and the world. Thus not only the social affections will find a 
better development, but every part of tlie brain, or in other 
words, all the faculties of the mind, will be brought into more 
intelligent and harmonious action. 

In the former part of this address, certain elements in the 
character of the settlers of the town were pointed out as too 
predominant, as based upon a few faculties, so that the char- 
acter was not complete, not well rounded. The fault arose 
partly from the times, and partly from the situation and cir- 
cumstances of these settlers. Their point of observation and 
range of knowledge were quite limited, and the subjects with 
which they had to deal were chiefly personal. Since that time 
great changes have taken place in the state of society, in the 
modes of doing business, as well as in educational and relig- 
ious matters. With these changes and improvements, the 
generation coming ujDon the stage should do far better — 
should develojj a broader, higher, and more harmonious 
character. No man should live for himself or his family 
alone, but perform the duties which he owes to others — to 
his fellow-beings everywhere. In this way only can his nature 
be fully developed, and his character rounded out and made 
complete. In this way only can he secure the greatest amount 
of happiness and reach the high standard which true civiliza- 
tion and Christianity demand. 

There is a saying, that " whoever causes two blades of grass 
to grow where only one grew before, is a benefactor to the 
world." All people can readily appreciate the value of an 
increased quantity of grass, but how much greater is the value 
of an increase of knowledge ! How much higher and purer 
the pleasures and enjoyments of the mind over those of the 
body ! What contributes more to the comfort, contentment, 
and happiness of a people, than useful knowledge ? And 
where can this intelligence, this knowledge, be obtained so 



40 GOor>NO\V LIBRAKV A>»D SCHOOL 

well as from good books ? Is lie not a benefactor who fur- 
nishes the means for such information? But in your library 
building there is something besides books ; you have a large 
clock, and a bell with fine-sounding tones, and u))on that bell 
is inscribed this motto : 

" Knowledge is J'oiver." 

Yes, there is a meaning in that phrase — knowledge is 
power. There is no other power in the world equal to it. 
Knowledge has been a power in this town. Let it be increased 
and multiplied tenfold. And whenever you hear the sounds 
of that bell, remember this motto, " Knowledge is Power." 

Never in the history of the world have there been so many 
and so large contributions made for educational purposes as 
within a few years. This is an encouraging sign that men of 
means are looking more and more to see how or in what way 
they can do the most good with their money. It is also a 
gratifying fact, that some of them are disposed to do this as 
executors of their own estates, and thus while living have the 
satisfaction and enjoyment of witnessing the fruits of their 
benevolence. We have a most remarkable instance of this 
liberality in our own vicinity, an individual giving to the city 
of Worcester for education $1,000,000, the largest sum that 
was ever given for this purpose by any one person in New 
England — and if this is not sufficient, he promises still more ! 
With pride we add that Jonas G. Clai-k, the donor, was born 
in the hill-town of Hubbardston, only a few miles from the 
place of our meeting. 

Of all cities in the United States we think it can be justly 
said that Worcester, in point of educational advantages,.stands 
pre-eminent. It has already ten free jiublic libraries, with 
over two h\indred thousand volumes on their shelves. It has, 
besides, city schools of the first class, a model high school, a 



BUILDING AND BAGG HALL 41 

state normal school, a seminary for young ladies, an academy, 
a college, a free institute of technology, and now is to have a 
great university ! For many years Worcester has been called 
the " Heart of the Commonwealth." With such advantages 
as these the time may not be far distant when it will deserve 
to be called the " Head of the Commonwealth ! " The towns 
surrounding Worcester may come in for quite a share of this 
renown, as that city is indebted for some of its best blood to 
these same towns. 

But these same towns are not forgotten by their sons and 
the friends of education. Since Mr. Goodnow made known 
his intentions to remember his native place, four towns in this 
immediate vicinity, viz.. Sterling, Gardner, Barre, and Holden, 
have in this way been provided with memorial buildings for a 
library. Let this noble work go on till not only every town 
in the county, whether located upon the hills or in the valleys, 
shall be supplied with a memorial library and this whole 
region shall be illuminated with the light of knowledge, but 
till there shall be enduring monuments in the form of 
memorial libraries in every town in New England ! 



AFTER THE COLLATION 



At the conclusion of the Dedicatory Address the 
assembled company proceeded from the church to Bagg 
Hall and there partook of a collation. Then, after viewing 
the ititeriors of the Hall and the Memorial Building, tliey 
returned to the church and gave attention to the Remarks 
and Addresses lohich here follow. 



Mv Goodenow Wife 



BY HON. GEORGE M. STEAKNS 



Although a minister's son, I have never before spoken from 
the pulpit. I was often in my youth put there to keep me 
still, but never before witli the deliberate design of having ijie 
make a noise. I was assigned the sentiment of " The Presi- 
dent of the United States," and sat in profound tliought con- 
sidering what possible relation the President, either personally 
or officially, had to this occasion. Not being able to discover 
any, I turned to that fountain of aid and comfort which every 
wise man secures, to wit, his wife, and asked mine what under 
the sun I could say for the President. She replied that the 
President had no business with these dedication services, and 
that as she was a born Princeton girl, and a Goodnow, and a 
niece of the giver of these " good and perfect gifts," she 
thought this once I might speak for her. Remembering the 
recently created relation of the President with that lovely 
lady who is jjroperly called "the first lady of the land" — for 
the wife of the President of the United States is the first 
lady of all lands — and believing he would advise me to do as 
my wife requested, like a well trained husband I acceded to 
her wish. She was born and bred in Princeton, her fatlier 
and her mother were born and bred here, and her father's 
father also, and I have not dared explore the misty past too 



iQ 



GOODNOW LrBRARY AN^D SfHOOL 



remotely to ascertain the connection of the Goodnows with 
Princeton ; but it might turn out that Wachusett was the genu- 
ine Ararat on which the patriarch's ark rested upon the'sub- 
sidence of the waters, and that amidst tlie noses that peered 
therefrom there was many a bad nose among the Goodnows 
that doubtless emerged upon the mountain top, and that the 
plaudits of those who love the good and praiseworthy mio-ht 
be overwhelmed by the anathemas of those who detest the 
unholy and pestilential. But without going back to primeval 
chaos or the diluvian period, it is plain she is a Princeton o-irl 
" of purest ray serene," and fully entitled to a seat near ^he 
head of the table when the M'Gregors meet in the high 
lands. And I am very proud to strut here todav in borrowed 
plumes, and to glisten with reflected radiance as prince con- 
sort to this Princeton queen of the royal house of Goodnow. 

She asks me to say for her, that she has not forgotten the 
beautiful town of her nativity; that neither here nor across 
the seas has she ever looked upon any scene tliat seemed so 
lovely to her as the sunrise breaking upon these mountain 
tops at dawn, and the shadows creeping up their darkenino- 
sides at evening: "^ 

That nowhere has she found friends so beloved as the play- 
mates of her youth and the neighbors that were about her in 
her early years : 

TJiat no light has ever shone upon her face so serenely as 
that which beamed from the old hearth-stone, when her 
fatlier and mother and brothers, now in their graves, and she, 
sat around it, the long winter evenings at home : 

That she is very glad to return upon this interesting occa- 
sion of the dedication of these splendid buildings their 
foundations resting upon the eternal rocks upon which Ihe has 
so often played : 



BUILDING AND BAGG HALL 47 

That she is proud they should have come from the munifi- 
cent hand and generous impulses of her father's brother, and 
that long after he and she are dead and gone they will stand 
an enduring memorial to their name, associating it with honor, 
enterprise, education, progress, generosity and beneficence. 

I have been deputed by Mr. Goodnow to say, in his behalf, 
that he thanks the people of Princeton for their many and 
pleasant attentions to him, for the kindness with which they 
have forwarded his purposes, and the intelligence with which 
they have appreciated his designs. That akin to the hope 
that these instrumentalities may accomplish all the good for 
this town he has intended, exists the further hope that in the 
hearts of this people and of those who may hereafter be born^ 
here, there may be cherished a tender recollection of him 
who so loved and regarded his and their birth-place. 



1 he Glory of Princeton 



BY HON. GEOKGE F. HOAR 



I do not think tlie occasion requires us to attempt to add 
anything to the excellent historic address of the morning. I 
bring to Princeton the congi-atulation and sympathy of the 
city of Worcester. We are very proud of our county with 
its fair cities and towns, its beautiful scenery, its intelligent 
people. But we have a little warmer feeling toward Princeton 
than toward any other. She is the diamond in our circlet of 
gold. Here, where the mountain joins the plain is the home 
of poetry and romance. Within your bounds is the spot 
where Mrs. Rowlandson was ransomed,and where we get almost 
the last glimpse of the mighty Philip, before he and the last 
organized Indian power disappeared forever from New Eng- 
land before the white man. But this region has been the 
home of something better than poetry and romance. If you 
cannot recite a catalogue of illustrious names of men of whom 
this is the birth-place, your whole people have borne a full and 
honorable share in the country's history. These hills and 
rocks have been the gymnasia of heroes. The race that has 
breathed this air has never failed in its allegiance to liberty. 

In the mountains is Freedom; the breath of the vales 
Hises not up to the pure mountain gales. 

The farmers in these bleak mountain homes discussed the 
great questions of human rights. It is said the published 



BUILDING AND BAGG HALL 49 

history of the town is largely taken up with chnrch quarrels. 

But your fathers ajDplied the stern logic with which they 

debated of 

"Providence, foreknowledge, will and fate, 
Fixed fate, free will, foreknowledo;e absolute," 

to the more intelligible matter of their rights and duties to 
the state. The Declaration of Independence and the Massa- 
chusetts Declaration of Rights were never accepted here as a 
mere statement of their own rights, but as a statement of their 
duties to other men. When the fugitive slave law was passed, 
they said that, come what might, the slave that came among 
them should not be given up. 

If these hills have not reared great men, they have fostered 
the influences that have produced great men. Just over the 
line in Westminster was born and bred the grandfather of 
President Garfield. About as far off in the other direction, 
and almost within our sight is the dwelling of Rufus Putnam, 
a man who, in my judgment, contributed more to the life of 
this country than any other, except Washington and Jeffer- 
son. After the revolutionary war, in which, as you know, lie 
was the ablest of our military engineers, he settled in Rut- 
land, where he planned the settlement of the Northwest. He 
was appointed surveyor of that territory, but recommended 
Gen. Tupper, an old army, comrade, to act in his stead. Gen. 
Tapper reported to Putnam at Rutland, where the two friends 
sat together tlirough the whole night, and at day-break issued 
the call for the meeting where the Ohio company was organ- 
ized. They instructed their agent to congress, Manasseh Cut- 
ler, to insist that human slavery should not be allowed within 
the territory; that schools and the institutions of religion 
should be established, and that contracts should be held invi- 
olate. They would not take the land upon other conditions. 
Putnam was chosen superintendent, and led the first colony to 



50 (iOODNOW LIBRAKY AND SCHOOL 

the settlement at Marietta, When Gen. Putnam walked out of 
that home now standing at the foot of Rutland hill, in sight 
of tliis church, Empire, Freedom, Honor, Glory, Virtue, the 
Happiness of untold millions, the Destiny of America, went 
with him as he crossed the threshold. But for him and his 
companions, the five great states which comprise the land that 
once was the Ohio territory, would today have been the 
home of human slavery, America would have been a great 
slave empire, and New England a hunting ground for its 
fugitives. 

One especial contribution made by these small country 
towns to the government of the commonwealth ought never 
to be forgotten. That is their contribution to the jury-box. 
Under our system, the happiness and prosperity of every 
community in time of j^eace will depend on its juries, on 
which in the last resort the safety of all rights of person and 
property and the preservation of public order must depend. 
A great part of my life has been spent in court-houses. I 
have studied carefully the influences which affected the 
administration of justice, and the character and quality of the 
men wlio sat on juries. I declare it as the result of my 
experience that the old Worcester County farmers, taken man 
by man, as you would find them on the back roads in the 
thinly settled portions of our smaller country towns, made 
better jurors than any other class of men with whom I have 
been acquainted. They were intelligent, patient, just, inde- 
j^endent and conscientious. 

I agree with almost every thing in the admirable address 
we heard this morning. I do not think, with Dr. Allen, that 
Lieutenant Governor Gill was the greatest man of whom 
Princeton may boast. Judge Gill was a successful politician, 
a man of intelligence and public spirit, who discharged credit- 



htriLDiNG AND v.xaa iiat,l 51 

ably and respectably some im})ortant offices. But I should 
more highly esteem Leonard Woods, the prophet, the father 
of prophets, the teacher of prophets, who was born in Prince- 
ton. I am afraid Dr. Allen will disagree with me, altliough I 
think every one who heard him will agree with me, in valuing 
more highly his own life, filled as it has been with conspicuoixs 
sei'vice to humanity and science. We all hoi)e he has many a 
year of intellectual vigor left. 



The Church 

BY REV. A. A. MINER, D. D. 



On what grounds your grace has permitted me to partici- 
pate in the festivities of this occasion, I know not. I am not a 
citizen of Princeton either by birth or adoption. None of my 
ancestors, so far as I know, have been Princetonians. But if 
I may indulge the poetic license adopted by George Mac- 
donald in answering the question — 

" Where did you come from, baby dear? 
Out of the everywhere into here " — 

then I am a Princetonian from head to foot, and am glad to 
share with you the satisfactions of the hour. I cannot hope 
to emulate the interest elicited by the gentlemen who have 
preceded me, and shall attempt neither the refined facetious- 
ness of the one nor the comprehensive historic statements of 
the other. 

Few if any occasions of greater importance could challenge 
our presence and attention. A free public library is a supple- 
mentary educational institution, and may become an almost 
limitless source of blessing. Successive generations of your 
youthful population may commune with the wise and good 
of all ages, and from the summit of an " exceeding high 
mountain " survey " all the kingdoms of the world, and the 
glory of them." 



GOODNOW LIBRARY AND 6AG(i hALL &3 

They will soon learn the wide differences in value of dif- 
ferent topics of study. There is a vastly disproportionate 
amount of time at present spent upon the lower and merely 
secular aims of life. There is a whole world of facts, in the 
physical history of the earth, for example, in the distribution 
of mountains, rivers, bays and capes, and the like, useful upon 
occasions, but useless in the ordinary needs and relations of 
life ; while whatever in science or in history exhibits the 
divine perfections on the one hand, or the moral character of 
man on the other, cannot fail to lift up and ennoble our souls. 
It is for such results the Church everywhere stands. 

Truth is the statement of principles. Principles are abso- 
lute, universal, immortal. They reach from highest heaven to 
lowest hell, wherever the latter may be located. They envi- 
ron us and pervade our very being. For a time they may be 
disregarded and denied ; but they are sure to assert them- 
selves at length and command attention and respect. Who 
would think of making war on the multiplication table? 
What if a powerful nation like England should organize a 
mathematical conspiracy against mankind, and determine that 
four and four shall be fifteen? All their book-keeping and 
business transactions based on that assumption would be a 
gross injustice to themselves or to somebody else. This is 
very palpable. 

Scarcely less palpable is the fact that idleness and profligacy 
tend to poverty. It is equally certain, whether as clearly per- 
ceived or not, that all injustice tends to overthrow. All the 
invisible forces and ground swell of the universe are in league 
with righteousness against iniquity. Hence truth and right 
will prevail ; error and wrong will go to the wall. Men 
value the things they can see — flocks, herds, lands, stocks, 
whatever bears a price in the m^arket place. Mountains, they 



b4 GOODNOW LIBRAtlY Al^D SCHOOL 

admit, are powei-ful barriers to human purjDose ; but of what 
consequence is a principle? The truth is, principles are 
infinitely more powerful than the most solid of mountains. 
We can tunnel a mountain ; but who ever tunneled a princi- 
ple? Our fathers tried it in compromising with slavery; but 
they did not take the law of conscience into the account, and 
the scheme miscarried. The same thing is in progress today. 
There is an intolerable audacity in the governments of the 
earth, which assume that the petty schemes of men, though 
not altogether right, will prove more serviceable in practice 
than the fundamental laws of God ; as though the Creator 
did not know what he was about. 

In opening up to the view of the young the deepest prin- 
ciples of life, nothing can take the place of properly written 
biography and history. These lay bare the motives of action, 
the deeps of social influence, the sources of power. The sug- 
gestions of the morning address are exceeding valuable in 
tills regard. Perhaps the best means of multiplying our 
sources of blessing, in this direction, may be found in town 
histories. As our municipalities gain a broader background 
through the lapse of time, giving to individual character a 
more accurate perspective, these histories are likely to become 
more numerous and our libraries thereby correspondingly 
enriched. 

From this point of view, we cannot value too highly the 
local free libraries springing up on every hand. The more 
they are frequented, the more will books in general be 
prized ; and the love of books is in no small degree the 
foundation of greatness. The late Rev. Thomas Baldwin 
Thayer, D. D., when a lad resident in South Boston, walk- 
ing daily to School street for instruction, was furnished 
by his widowed mother, from her scanty purse, means 



BUILDING AND BAGG HALL 55 

for his mid-day meal. Seeing him returning one day with 
certain huge and long-coveted volumes in his arms, she 
instantly called him to account for the treasures, for the pos- 
session of which she saw no honest means at his command. 
Her alarm was changed to admiration when she learned that 
he had taxed his stomach to enlighten his mind. What ines- 
timable good would result if the youth of our land would but 
tax simply their corrupt and corrupting appetites for a like 
noble end. 

It is narrated of Frederick the Great that he furnished his 
five principal palatial residences with libraries the exact dupli- 
cates of each other. When he bought a new book, he pur- 
chased five copies of it, all bound richly and alike, and 
distributed them among his several libraries. Then he 
divided his books into two classes, the one to be only cur- 
sorily examined, the other to be carefully studied. On laying 
down a volume of the latter class, he would note specifically 
the place he had reached, and resume his studies at the same 
place in the con-esponding volume of the library to which he 
removed. Such a student may easily be supposed to be enti- 
tled to the appellation of " Gi-eat." 

But I must not detain you. This is my first visit to your 
renowned municipality, with which I am glad to become even 
slightly acquainted ; and I have no hesitation in adopting the 
language of the Queen of Sheba on her visit to King Solo- 
mon : " The half was not told me," 



Votive Offerings 



BY HON. JOHN E, RUSSELL 



Those who have preceded me have left little to be said. 
The field has been both reaped and gleaned. 

I can but congratulate this fine old town on its prosperous 
and bright appearance, and rejoice with you that so much has 
been added to its attractiveness. 

Of late years the life of this community has been greatly 
quickened by the large numbers of wealthy and refined peo- 
ple from the cities drawn here to enjoy the unsurpassed 
scenery and bracing air of these glorious hills, and it is well 
that a generous son of Princeton has so richly added to the 
attractions of the place and made such a permanent contribu- 
tion to the social advancement of this community. 

In the score of years that I have lived in Worcester County 
there have been some interesting social changes, and one of 
them is the great increase of private wealth in all parts of the 
country ; this has been happily accompanied by a notable 
tendency of men enriched by various enterprises to return to 
the villages of their birth and make those remote and some- 
times poor and declining communities sharers of the results of 
their industry and enterprise. It thus happens that in several 
of the towns of this county the votive offerings of grateful 
sons has taken the form of a memorial building that in each 
case contains a library free to all readers. Sometimes this 



GOODNOW LIBRAIIY AND BAG<i HALL 



57 



offering is in pious remembrance of a family whose members 
sleep amid the scenes of their labors and whose name is but a 
fading tradition. 

I believe that these memorials will be gratefully cherished 
by the towns, kept in constant repair, the libraries used, 
replenished and augmented ; and may we not expect that they 
will be shrines where other offerings will be made, so that they 
will grow in usefulness. 

Referring to the solid and permanent character of these 
buildings and the similar traits in this people. Dr. Allen said 
this morning that they would last as long as the rocks upon 
which they are founded. 

If so, they will endure until " the elements melt with fer- 
vent heat and the heavens are rolled together as a scroll"; 
but may we not say that while this generation will pass away 
in its due time, and these buildings like all the works of men 
will crumble, the memorial here dedicated will endure while 
freedom lives among these hills, while our social and civil sys- 
tem remains, while sentiments of justice, honor and gratitude 
prevail in the hearts of this peoj^le, while Massachusetts itself 
stands. 

No one can exaggerate the importance of a good public 
library. It is a school that is never closed, where those who 
study are of the class that can instruct themselves ; to whom 
the fact that they can read has placed in their power the key 
to all learning. For them the door of the vast temple of 
knowledge is open, and they may freely enter and possess the 
richest treasures that it contains. 

I believe that the time is not far distant when ephemeral 
writings, the works of the day, and especially the current fic- 
tion which the press pours upon the public, will not be circu- 
lated from our libraries ; that they will contain only the books 



68 



GOUDNOW Lir.RAKY AND BA(iG HALL 



that time has ajiproved, and works profitable for instruction. 
Such libraries will be saved from the fate of dispersion that 
impends over all private collections of books. When a 
library is transferred to a permanent institution, a collection of 
books flourishes in immortal youth, and remains for the 
instruction and delight of children's children. 

It is. Sir [addressing Mr. Goodnow], your happy fortune to 
see in your own day the good use of your munificence, to 
execute your own will in your own way, to look in the grate- 
ful faces of your contemporaries, to build a monument more 
enduring than brass that will keep your memory sweet and 
green " far on in summers that we shall not see." 



The Bookworm 

BY PROP. FRANK ,T. (iOODNOW 



When tlie committee so kindly asked me to speak before 
you today on the subject of the Bookworm I must confess I 
was somewhat appalled. I felt very much as a school-boy 
feels when asked by his teacher to write a composition on 
some such interesting subject as the horse or the cow. 
Indeed, the position in wliich I was placed brought to my 
mind very vividly a story that Mr. Gough used to tell with 
great effect in his lectures on temperance. It was about a 
boy who wrote a composition on pins, and who, after graphic- 
ally describing the pin and its method of manufacture, ended 
his masterpiece with the words : "Pins are very useful things ; 
they have saved thousands of lives." The teaclier, some- 
what surprised, said, "Johnnie, what is that? how have 
pins saved thousands of lives?" " Why, by not swallowing 
them, sir." Well, ladies and gentlemen, I feel that the only 
way in which I can say anything that will interest you today 
on the subject of the Bookworm is by not saying anything at 
all about him. The eccentricities of the bookworm are so 
many, and iiis character is usually so peculiar, that many 
regard him as an altogetlier useless member of society, and 
consider any description that may be given of him as time 
and effort wasted in an endeavor to clothe an unattractive 
subject with the graces to which it has no claim. And yet 



i()0 GODBNOW LIBRARY AND SCHOOL 

the bookworm has a most important mission to fulfill. It is 
to him that we owe most of our knowledge of our past 
history. It is the men of his class who have done more than 
any others to preserve the instruments of knowledge. I am 
perfectly well aware that his habits are such as to cause him 
to be the butt of ridicule. I know that to the more practical 
of you it seems often that he wastes his time in the discussion 
of the most useless questions. Still we must all remember that 
the usefulness of a subject is not always apparent. Perhaps 
the best examples of the bookworm that the world has ever 
shown are to be found in the scholastic philosophers, who, 
during the darkness of the middle ages devoted their time 
to the preservation and perusal of musty manuscripts, and, 
though revered by the pious minded on account of the 
sanctity of their profession, were still laughed and jeered at 
by many of the jjeople because of the foolish questions which 
they discussed with such force and ingenuity of argument. 
The discussion of such questions as " How many angels can 
dance at the same time on the point of a needle?" or as " If 
an ass were placed midway between two stacks of hay of 
equal size would he ever move?" does not seem to be capa- 
ble of producing any good whatever. And yet it is without 
doubt a fact that we owe to these very men a debt that we 
can never hope to repay. It was they who conducted the 
schools in Avhich the young awakening mind of Eurojie 
received its first training and gained its earliest strength. 
The apparently useless discussions into which they entered 
sharpened tlie wits of the men of the time, and kept among a 
people, who were, for the most part, given over to war and 
violence, some activity of thought, and prepared the way for 
the great revival of learning that soon followed, and finally for 
the great reformation. It was the famous scholastic philoso- 



BUILDING AND BAGG HALl. ftl 

pher and teacher, Peter Abelard, who was accustomed to 
teach his scholars that " We should not believe unless we first 
understand " — a maxim which must finally lead to freedom of 
thought. It is the modern representatives of the bookworm 
who prevent us at present from falling into the error of con- 
sidering the practical and the tangible as the only useful 
things, and from forgetting that knowledge is not always to 
be judged by the immediate effect which it produces before 
our own eyes. 

For these reasons it is, ladies and gentlemen, that the sub- 
ject of the bookworm has been granted a place on today's 
order of exercises. For our object in assembling here today 
is to celebrate the dedication of a building whose main pur- 
pose is to promote the cause of education, but which is also to 
furnish a repository for the library which the citizens of 
Princeton have collected with so much pains, and wliicli now 
has a residence worthy of it. It is by the foundation of such 
buihlings as this that the mission of the bookworm in the 
world is recognized and his far from easy task lessened, and 
the generous men to whom we owe such buildings as this will 
win the gratitude not only of the present generation of book- 
worms but of their successors for all time to come. 



The Princeton Clergy 



BY IIKV. WILLIAM T. BUIOCS 



Tlie history of this ancient town begins with tlie clergy. 
" It was called Prince Town to perpetuate the name and 
memory of Rev. Thomas Prince, colleague pastor of the Old 
South Church, Boston." Also she is tiie fruitful mother of 
twenty-one clergymen, three of whom were doctors of divinity. 
Others deserved to be, but after bravely fighting to win the 
pi'ize, failed. 

I am to speak for the clergy — for the clergy generally, and 
for those of Princeton in particular. 

I do not say that the clergy ax-e or have been above suspi- 
cion, but as a class they have been and are sound on moral 
questions, and pioneers in every genuine moral reform. 

The old colonial record says, " They were consulted on all 
matters pertaining to the civil affairs of the New England 
colonies, and they had the controling influence in forming and 
directing tlie civil government. The very first written code of 
laws for Massachusetts, under the charter of 1629, was drawn 
up by a minister." Said Governor Winthrop : "They have 
great power in the people's heart. Religion ruled the State 
through its ministei's." It used to be said of John Cotton, 
that what he preached in his Thursday evening lecture shaped 
the doings of the General Court. You see these sturdy men 
"dabbled in politics" — noi as partisans, but as citizens. 



GOOJ)NOW LIBRARY AND BAGG HALL 63 

Tlie historian says: "No class of men contributed more to 
carry forvvanl the revolution and achieve our independ- 
ence, than did the ministers of that grand era of liberty. 
Their pulpits rang with the notes of freedom. They taught 
their hearers to reject with abhorrence the divine right of 
kings, and held that all civil power is originally with the peo])le. 
John Adams said of a sermon by Rev. Mr. Mayhew, " It Avas 
the morning gun of the revolution." Writing from Philadel- 
phia to his wife in Quincy, he said : " Does our pastor preach 
and pray against ojipression and the cardinal vices of the 
times? The clergy here of all denominations thunder and 
lighten every Sabbath." Their patriotism stood the test. 
They did more than preach and pray ; they entered the army, 
and on the battlefield stood side by side with the enlisted sol- 
dier. In the burial gromid of the First Presbyterian church 
in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, is a monument in memory of 
the pastor, Rev. James Caldwell, whose patriotic spirit well 
represented the clergy of that day. He was immensely ]io]>u- 
lar, yet among tories his life was at risk, so that while j 'reach- 
ing the gospel of peace to his jieople, he thought it wise to 
lay his loaded pistols by his side in the pulpit. 

In an engagement near his own town, he was in the hottest 
of the fight, and seeing the fire of one of the companies 
slacken for want of wadding, he galloped to the Presbyterian 
meeting house near by, and rushing in, ran from pew to pew, 
filling his arins with hymn books. Then hastening back, he 
scattered them about in every direction, saying as he pitched 
one here and another there, "iVbw, boys, put Watts into 
themr 

The same spirit in a milder form showed itself when Corn- 
wallis surrendered. A messenger rushed into one of the 
churches in the midst of the morning service, ran up the 



64 GOODNOW LIBRARY AND SCHOOL 

pulpit stairs and handed the despatch to the minister. He 
read it. His heart was full, but his stiff Puritan notions 
clung to him like a closely fitting garment. He read the 
dispatch to his congregation. " Now," said he, " this is the 
Sabbath day, this is the house of God, it will not do to give 
three cheers, but let us go through with the motions." And 
they did. 

Princeton, during her ecclesiastical history has enjoyed a 
pleasing variety of fifteen pastors of the Congregational 
church, the average length of each pastorate being eight years. 

The first settled minister in the town was Rev. Timothy 
Fuller, Sept. 9th, 1767. He was made of stern stuff, and 
having as we say a mind of his own, could hardly fail of 
making enemies. A true patriot, he was nevertheless charged 
with being a tory, and some of you will remember a speech of 
his grandson in this place in 1859, in which he gave this 
specimen of the groundless charges preferred against him. At 
the commencement of the revolutionary war, at a town meet- 
ing in the midst of great excitement, a man rose and cried 
out, " I know that Mr. Fuller is not a christian, and I know 
too that he is a tory, for " said he, " I caught hold of him 
suddenly, the other evening, and he turned upon me in 
surprise, exclaiming, '■By George^ let me alone! ' A man who 
swears can't be a christian. He must have meant George the 
Thirds and to swear by hva makes it certain that he is a 
tory." 

At the Centennial celebration here in 1859, the clerk of 
your committee said, " The test of principle is to disagree 
with our immediate cotemporaries when conscience bids. Mr. 
Fuller," he said, " did this and proved his superiority. He 
was a moral Wachusett, crowned with the light of opposite 
centuries," 



BUILDING AND BAliG HALL 65 

The clergy of Pi'inceton have Ijeeii godly men. 1 run not 
aware that any have been lodged in the penitentiaiy, or have 
committed an offence worthy of stripes. One only has 
seemed to depart from the faith of the fathers, and I have 
long ago made up my mind, that the apparent departure was 
not real. 

Rev. iSamuel J. May, whom I once knew intimately, and I 
may say more than any man I ever met seemed to live in the 
very atmosphere of heaven, was openly identified with the 
Unitarian faith. He held extreme views on the ))eace ques- 
tion. Once he met William Ladd, the great apostle of the 
American Peace Society, who also was a rigid Calvin ist of 
the ultra Puritan type. They met one evening at the Marl- 
boro' hotel, Boston. Discussing, as they naturally would, the 
peace (juestion, they were a unit. They then slid into theol- 
ogy and Avere not a unit. On vital doctrines they measured 
lances, and kept up the discussion till a late hour ; of course 
in a very catholic and courteous spirit. When Mr. May rose 
to leave, Mr. Ladd followed him to the door : " Now " said he, 
" brother May, if I could only cut your head off, you would 
go to heaven," i. e. : your heart is all right, the only difficulty 
is in your head. 

lie is not the only Unitarian, I am happy to believe, Avho in 
words denies the divinity of Christ, but gives practical jiioof 
of belief in it, by breathing his spirit and obeying his com- 
mands. Neither do I believe that with him and many like 
him it was necessary to lose the head in order to save the 
heart. 

I am to speak for the ministers of Princeton, and hence can- 
not forget to go where much water is. Five pastors have 
been settled over the Baptist Church, all good shepherds, 
leading their Hocks into pastures as green as could be 
expected in a mountain town. 
9 



66 



fiOODNUW" LIBIIARV ASD BAGG HALL 



Worthy Methodist pastors have grazed upon these bleak 
hills. Tliey have followed each other in quick succession — 
aljout as difficult to enrol as were the armies of Israel. 

On the whole we think Princeton will bear testimony to the 
general purity and power of her ministry. Sound in doctrine, 
outspoken on inornl questions — fairly so — spiritual guides 
whom in the main it was safe to follow; they were more than 
religious teachers. They recognized the pillars of our national 
prosperity, and were closely identified with the educational 
interests of tljc town. They loved to connect the church 
spire and the school-house and foster whatever was u})lifting 
to a community. 

The old church, which for so long a period threw her smile 
over this common, with a grace all her own, gives place to 
this beautiful structure, with its library of more than two 
thousand volumes and its commodious schools — the munifi- 
cent gift of one who is fast transmuting his earthly wealth into 
eternal gold. The clergy of Princeton, the living and the 
dead, could they speak, would say : "Let this which this man 
hath done be told here and everywhere as a memorial of 
him." 



The Princeton Quadrilateral 



BY HON. cIIAltLES THEODORE ItUSSJiT.L 



Xotliing today has so carried me back to our earlier boy- 
liood days, as your call upon ine at this time, Mr. President. 

Now, as in those days, it is the " old, old story " of the 
younger brother getting into scrapes and difficulties, and 
calling upon the elder to help him out. With the resources at 
your command today, I am sure you have the least excuse for 
the exercise of this old habit, bnt still, I suppose I must respond 
to your call. I have often admired the grace, wit, and elegance 
of our friend, ex-District Attorney Stearns' after-dinner 
speeches, and wondered whence he drew his charming inspira- 
tion. The secret is all confessed today. It seems that, on 
some of these occasions, at least, he consults his wife — and 
she was a Princeton girl. My only fear is that, after this 
confession, emulating his success, we shall have other Stearnses 
around by the " soft light of the winter fire-side " or under the 
unheeded " creaking of the village inn sign," seeking other 
Princeton girls. They might go further and fare a good deal 
worse. 

Not long since, I read an account of a purchaser who went 
into the shop, on Chatham Street, of an Israelite without guile, 
to purchase a coat. Negotiation began by the seller's asking 
$45.00, and ended by his taking |'2.50. The purchaser took 



H8 GO0r)KO\V Ml'.RARY AOT^ SCITOOI. 

the coat liome, and, upon i;nrolling it, met a terrible eruption 
of millers and moths. He at once took it back and demanded 
of the seller his 12.50. "Vhatish de matter mit de coat?" 
said the seller. " Why, it is full of moths and millers," said 
tlie buyer. " Moths and millers ! " said the Jew, " veil, vhat 
did you expect for $2.50, 'umming birds ? " 

As in your programme you have now come down through 
senators, members of congress, ])hilanthropists, to the $2.50 
men, I take it nobody will expect " 'umming birds," and 
you will be lucky indeed if, from tliis venerable garment, hung 
in the rays of the setting sun, and blown through by the 
breezes of the fading twilight, you get anything but moths 
and millers. 

But badinage aside, I am very glad to be here, and to join 
with my fellow citizens in acknowledging the debt of grati- 
tude we owe to my friend and distant relative, Mr. Goodnow, 
for his generosity and far seeing benevolence. By his action, 
and that of the church and town, you have reared and ranged 
in simple contiguous lines, structures which symbolize the 
great institutions which, always existing in protoplasm at 
least, have now become the grand evolution of New England — 
the Church, the School, the Town Meeting, and the Liltrary — 
representing religion, education, self-governiuent, intelligence 
and stability. The structures of a people mark its insti- 
tutions; in them all their history crystallizes and may be 
read. Pass up the beautiful Rhine, thread the canals of 
Venice, go through the quadrilateral of Italy ; you will look 
on castles, forts, churches, even, and see much to admire. 
And yet it is but the outgrowth of feudalism, oppression, 
intolerance, war : 

" Man's inhumanity to man 

Makes countless thousands mourn," 

as Burns has truly said. 



liinLRINfi AND BaGG HALL B9 

With more grateful emotions we turn to the little quad- 
rilateral on the lawn of our mountain home. Upon one 
corner stands the simple church with its open doors ; on the 
other the town hall — emblem of popular liberty — and between 
the two, supjiorting both, the school and the library; and this, 
you say, and may well say, is our quadrilateral against our 
foes, present and future. 

Some years ago, standing in the Fort of St. Elmo, which 
overlooks the city of Naples, when that beautiful city was 
held in subjection only by the cannon of King Bomba, and 
before the great Cavour had brought freedom and unity to 
Italy, I noticed all the guns of the fort were pointed, not out- 
wardly for external, but inwardly as for an internal enen^y. 
I asked the Italian soldier who accompanied me what this 
meant, whether they expected all their enemies from within, 
and not from without? He made me no answer, except a 
suggestive Italian shrug of his shoulders. I told him in 
America we always looked for the enemy from without, and 
placed oiir guns accordingly. But in such fortifications as 
you rear today, I am not sure that I was right; their arma- 
ments are pointed within and without, and will meet and 
overcome all foes, whether from without or Avithin, in the 
present or the futui-e. 

Dr. Allen has said in his excellent address, which interested 
us all so much, that one of the striking characteristics of the 
settlers and inhabitants of the town has been their marked 
individuality, and to this he attril)ute8 no little of the dissen- 
sion which has at times marked its ecclesiastical history; and 
he has said that of the two small histories of the town, two- 
thirds of one, and one-half of the other is taken up with this 
portion of its history. As I had, as a boy just out of college, 
something to do with one of these histories, you will allow nje 
to say that in it I think the ecclesiastical has about the same 



To rxooni^dw t,TP.tt.\RY Axr) sfHoot. 

proportion that it bears in the actual history of the towri. 
That these individualities in the former citizens of the town did 
not quite cease on their transfer to other atmospheres, is per- 
haps illustrated in the fact, that among the heresy hunters 
upon Andover hill, the earliest was the late honored and 
eminent Dr. Leonard Woods, a Princeton boy; and among 
the earliest of the heresy hunted, was the late amiable and 
accomplislied Dr. James Murdock, for many years the Congre- 
gational pastor of the same town. 

One word more before I close : Some years ago, in deliver- 
ing an agricultural address before you, I had occasion to say 
that the future prosperity of the town would be in its becom- 
ing a health and summer resort, and I took the opportunity to 
urge upon you the necessity of preserving all its natural and 
picturesque scenery and beauty. I called your attention to 
the fact, that inroads were being made upon the lake at the 
foot of your mountain, which destroyed its beauty, and were 
turning it for portions of the season into a very unattractive 
condition, if not making it a positive nuisance. I am happy 
to say that the town shortly took such action as at once led to 
the remedy of this evil. 

I now desire to call your attention to another matter which 
may add to the beauty and attraction of your town. Mr. 
Goodnow, seconded by church, town, and individuals, has done 
much to improve your village. Not many years ag<i, your 
distinguished Senator who has addressed you today (Senator 
Hoar) purchased the rock at the foot of the mountain and 
near the Wachusett Lake, upon which Mrs. Rowlandson was 
released by the Indians to his ancestor, and has had the rock 
])roperly inscrilied to mark this event, connecting our present 
history with that of the aborigines, who made this mountain 
a somewhat favorite resort. It seems to me a happy inspira- 



BUILDING AND T.AGG HALL 71 

tion to have secured and marked this spot, which was the last, 
so far as I know, where the greatest of New England Indians, 
King Philip, apj)cared in any negotiations of his followers. 

It seems to me that it would be an apj)ropriate and grate- 
ful, and not expensive supplement to this act of Senator Hoar, 
for the town to purchase the surrounding acres on the borders 
of the lake and turn them into what I may well call Rowland- 
son Park. Upon Arbor day let the men, women and children 
create personal interest in this park by each planting there his 
or her tree or shrub, and so there shall be on the shore of the 
lake at the foot of the mountain, a memento alike of the his- 
tory of its savage occupants and of the gentle culture and 
good taste of their civilized successors. 

But I must not continue these remarks. I again thank the 
generous donor for what he has done ; I thank the church and 
the town for what they have done, and I congratulate you all 
that you have achieved so much for the beauty of this, my 
native town, and so much for its future good, happiness and 
stability. 



Unity in Freedom 



BY KEV. CIIAKLES NK^KLIN 



It gives me very great pleasure to be here today. I have 
the tliree-fold pleasure of visiting Princeton : of taking in its 
wonderful scenery, of looking upon these massive buildings 
which have been dedicated by appropriate ceremonies and 
most fitting sentiments, and of meeting with many dear 
friends the recollection of whom will never fade from my 
memory. I repeat, it gives me great pleasure to be here. 

The invitation to be present on this occasion came to me 
when I was several hundred miles away. At first, 1 thought 
to ajiologize, but I found that I was like the maid, who, 
when her mistress told her to make an apology for not having 
anything suitable to set before company, replied, " I have no 
eggs or milk to make it of." I felt that I had nothing to 
make an apology of, so I am here. 

When I received the circular containing a formidable group 
of illustrious names, I anticipated what has happened, that 
you would be overcharged with speeches. I at once aban- 
doned the idea of making special preparation for this occa- 
sion. After what you have already enjoyed it would be cruel 
to detain you by a lengthy speech. 

The sentiment which was presented to me as a topic is a 
ju-ecious one, namely, " Unity in Freedom." There are two 
words here that I love, the first is " Unity," the next " Fr^e- 



GOODNOW LIIiUAUY AND BAG(; HALL <d 

dotn." Put them togetlier as they are here united and you 
have a splendid topic. Wherever I go I shall advocate unity 
and stand by the cause of freedom. 

Many have been the battles fought, and thousands of pre- 
cious lives have been sacrificed upon the altar of freedom. 
But in the history of the past, human rights have no sooner 
been obtained, than a spirit of intolerance has sprung up 
in the heart of the disenthralled, and in the enjoyment of 
their own rights they have used their power in curtailing and 
limiting the privileges and rights of others. I need only to 
refer you to the history of the early days of New England in 
confirmation of this statement. I often think of the words of 
William Penn : " Whoever is right, the persecutor must be 
wrong." Persecution is wrong. 

Dr. Miner gave us a definition of truth when lie stated that 
" principles are eternal." I felt when the Doctor was speak- 
ing that I would like to follow his address with a few 
remarks. 

Some of us are trying to build upon what we believe to be 
the truth ; others, i)erliaps, are trying to tear down some of the 
pillars of truth. If building, their methods may not be the 
same as mine, yet I would say, " God bless their toil." Are 
some in my estimation much mistaken, and whilst they are 
intending to build, are all the while pulling down ; I would 
grant them the same freedom which it is my privilege to 
enjoy. If I believe in one God and my next door neighbor 
believes in twenty, I will not quarrel with him but Avill treat 
him as I do others ; and if he needs any attention from me I 
shall be pleased to give it to him. 

The great conflict between good and evil, right and w rong, 
truth and error, is in progress. You and I may stand face to 
face in this conflict. Let the contest be a fair one, then the 
10 



74 GOODNOW LIBRARY AND BAGG HALL 

victory will be grandly won. Victory will be on the side of 
truth and right. Good will triumph over evil, right over 
wrong, truth over error. As Faber says : 

" Right is right, since God is God, 

And right the day must win ; 
To doubt would be disloyalty, 

To falter would be sin." 

I must not detain you. It must be a great satisfaction as 
one draws near the close of this life to feel that he has done 
something for the benefit of others. Such a satisfaction the 
gentleman has who sits before you today. You remember it 
was the boast of Caesar Augustus that " he found Rome of 
brick, but left it marble." Mr. Goodnow will leave Princeton 
better than he found it. May we all so live and act, that 
when we come to the sunset of life we shall leave behind us 
an afterglow surpassing that of the setting sun. 



Letters 



FROM INVITED GIESTS 



HiNGHAM, Mass., July 80, 1887. 

My Dear Sir : 1 regret that I cannot accept your invitation 
to speak Sept. 6 at the dedication of the Princeton library, 
but I am to be out of the State at that time. 

I thank you for your courtesy in inviting;- me, and am, with 
best wishes for the occasion, 

Truly yours, 

Jorix D. Long. 
E. H. Heywood, Esq., Princeton. 



Matunuck, R. I., August 5th, 1887. 

My dear Mr. Heywood : Such plans as you write me about 
interest me, I might say, more than anything else does. I 
think there is nothing so important as these public libraries in 
the whole business of public education. 

But I am sorry to say that it will be quite impossible for me 

to be present at the dedication. 

Always yours truly, 

Edward E. Hale. 



Leicester, Aug. 28, 1887. 

Mr. E. H. Heywood : Dear Sir : I am much obliged to the 
Committee of Arrangements for tlie Princeton Dedication of 



76 GOOONOW LIBRAKY AXD SCHOOL 

the Good now Librai-y and School Building, for their polite 
invitation to ine to be one of the speakers on that occasion ; 
and I beg you to assure them that I deem it an honor to be 
valued. But my days of making speeches have quite gone 
by, and I am fain to resign into other hands the honorable 
and certainly (otherwise) welcome service to which they call 
me. Your veteran townsman, Joshua T. Everett, can tell you 
that my years are not far from the same with his own, and 
that I cannot claim as much physical ability to address a large 
audience as he possesses, or as he did possess not long since. 

But I would like to express my deep sym]^athy in the occa- 
sion of your celebi'ation ; and to offer my hearty congratula- 
tions to Pi-inceton, and to all its inhabitants, upon their 
possession of a commodious and beautiful building for their 
Public Library. It is now more than twenty-six years since I 
began to render some service to the public library in this 
town; in which time thei*e have not been many weeks, nor 
even days, in which I have not had its interests in mind. 
And I can heartily recommend the occupation, to such of 
your citizens as may be called to take part in it, as an emi- 
nently satisfactory one; though the high ideal of what a 
town library should be, and should do, may not be fully 
reached. Leicester does not envy Princeton in its ])ossession of 
this line home and safe depository for its library, but rather 
most heartily rejoices with you all in this valuable and useful 
acquisition. May it stand through many successive genera- 
tions, to diffuse light, and cheer, and blessing to all the 
people, and to keep ever green the memory of its benefactors. 

With thanks to yourself for the courtesy of your commu- 
nication, and with warm wishes for a wholly successful day of 
dedication, which indeed seems quite assured, I am 

Respectfully, etc., 

Samuel May. 



BUILDINO AND BAfIG MALL 77 

Worcester, Aug. 2, 1887. 

E. II. Hey wood, Esq.: My Dear Sir: Nothing would give 
greater |)leasure than to attend the dedicatory services of the 
Goodnow Memorial Building and speak upon the topic you 
suggest, but most unfortunately for me, the first term of tlie 
Probate Court, after vacation, comes on the 6th day of Sept., 
which of course precludes all possibility of my leaving this 
city on that day. 

Nothing therefore remains for me to do but to reiterate my 
regrets, and to heartily thank you and those whom you repre- 
sent for your kind invitation. 

Very truly yours, 

Adin Thayer. 



Worcester, Aug. 31, 1887. 

My Dear Sir : I have delayed my reply to the kind invita- 
tion of your committee to take part in the dedication cere- 
monies at Princeton, Sept. 6th, in the hope that my way to its 
acceptance might be clear. A partially anticipated business 
engagement has now become a certainty, so that I am obliged 
to go to New York next Monday. I regret exceedingly that 
I cannot attend, for the occasion will surely be full of 
interest. 

Vei'y truly yours, 

A. G. Bullock. 



Providence, R. L, July 29, 1887. 

Mr. E. H. Heywood : My Dear Sir : Your kind invitation 
for Tuesday, Sept. 6th, at hand. It would give me great 



?8 GbODiJOW LiftfeARY ANb BaOG H\T>L 

pleasure to be present at the Library-School Building dedica- 
tion ; but I expect to be at the Thousand Islands at that time 
attending the sessions of the Librarians Association. 
With best wishes, I am as ever, 

Yours very truly, 

R. A. Guild. 



APPENDIX 




^ 



Goodnow Memorial Building 



The Giver 

BY THE committee's SECKETAKY 



Edward A. Goodnow, whose portrait appears as the fron- 
tispiece, was born in Princeton, July 16tli, 1810, and was 
the third in a family of eight children. His parents, Edward 
and Rebecca Beaman Goodnow, were native to and hard 
workers upon these hills, now consecrated anew by generous 
deeds of their fortunate son. Trained in farm-work, in store, 
transportation, and manufacturing business, he went from 
here to Shelburne Falls in 1847, thence to Eaton, N. Y., but 
subsequently settled in our neighbor city of Worcester, where, 
as trader, jobber and banker, he accumulated largely the 
wealth, timely and serviceable disbursement of which makes 
him known and honored in this and foreign lands. A tireless, 
persistent, exact business man, from youth he has sensed 
" wrongs that need resistance, rights that need assistance," 
alert to see what he could do for human well-being, while 
visibly a part of it. 

The dedication services, which call for this brief sketch of 
a notable career, interest people to know that, besides the 
140,000 planted in our midst, he has bestowed life-serving 
11 



82 GOU1>KO\V MKMOlilAL liUlLDINCi 

power on many other privileged receivers. Pie has given 
115,000 to Huguenot Seminary in South Africa; $20,000 to 
Mt. llolyoke Seminary; $15,500 to Iowa College ; $5000 to 
Wellesley College ; and $5000 to Moody's School at Northtleld. 
In these live donations, amounting to over $60,000, he has 
founded thirty-tive scholarships for needy and worthy girls. 
Illustrative of his anti-slavery faith, Mr. Goodnow gave $5000 
to found a John Brown Professorship in Washburn College, 
Kansas ; he founded ascholarsliip, supported a number of stu- 
dents and contributed money for the buildings of the Colored 
School in Hampton, Va. He gave thousands to Oberlin, Ohio, 
Berea College in Kentucky, Lincoln College in Pennsylvanin, 
and started a subscription with $500 to equip the first black 
regiment in the war. In his own city, where he now resides, 
he furnislied a fund of $5000 to the Young Women's Christian 
Association ; gave $700 to the Polytechnic School ; donated 
$11,000 for a Chime of Bells and Organ in Plymouth Church ; 
jjlaced life size portraits of President Gariield and Henry 
Wilson in Mechanics Hall ; provided marble tablets for fifteen 
soldier-students who gave their lives for their country, and a 
bust of General Grant in the High School building; and gave 
largely to churches, temperance societies and other religious, 
educational, and reformatory objects. These widely scattered 
but wisely invested donations, together with what one, able 
and willing to hel}) others, is constantly giving in smaller 
sums, illustrate beneficent activity which few men, living or 
dead, have matched or surpassed. 

Parting with wealth, while in vigorous, lucrative control of 
it, rather than waiting till death's final summons from it, Mr. 
Goodnow incarnates elective charity which helps recipients to 
help themselves, and quickens other persons of means to 
serve their time and kind also. Not only religious and educa- 
tional enterprise, but anti-slavery, temjjerance, the elevation of 



GOOBXOAV MKArOIMAI, nUTLPrXCi 8B 

woman and otlior worthy reforms rejoice in liis frnilt'ul devo- 
tion. One's character appears in the use lie or she makes of 
power; aid given to the source and spring; of life, to mental 
and spiritiial ability, assures moral control over material condi- 
tions, and promotes social welfare through personal felicity : 

" For he that feeds men serveth few, 
He serveth all who dares be true."' 

Love of man and womankind manifest in imperishable ser- 
vice to our people is illustrious in the expansive thought which 
includes far-off Africans in human destiny ennobled here. In 
the library-scliool building, where we and our descendants 
may learn what is true and expedient in jirineiple, and in the 
attractive hall where town meetings gathei- to see what is 
right and best practically, our benefactor serves general 
need and common life superior to personal interest. 

A conspicuous leader in beneficent venture, elected to his 
work by inspiration, not by ballot ; bequeathing value forever 
joyful in its beauty, the donor becomes elemental force among 
us, transcending death in perennial use. He also takes us 
a long way towards abolition of taxes ; for in the (4oodnow 
Memorial which we owe to fraternal generosity in one man, 
and in Bagg Hall for which we are largely indebted to him, 
and to personal benevolence in others. Voluntary Enterprise 
lias here enduring manifestation. To do right for the sake 
of right; to relieve unexpressed want, answer prayer before 
made; to assure opportunity and reciprocity, by deeds which 
help all and hinder none — timely creative action beckons peo- 
])le towards Rational Society, the millennial state, where giving 
doth not impoverish or withholding enrich ; where none com- 
mand and none obey ; where tax-coni])ulsion and personal 
conflict disappear in overruling, irresistible impulse to live 
and let live. 

E. II. H. 



The Gift 

Its Value and Beauty 



BY PROF. T. \V. BANCROFT 



On the eleventh of February, 1884, the town of Prhiceton 
came into possession of a vahiable property, which will forever 
recall the kindly beneficence of one of her sons. Mr. Edward 
A. Goodnow, with the generosity which has now become a 
marked trait of his character, deeded to his native town a 
tract of land with a building of chaste architectural design to 
be used as a public library. The land is a commanding site 
just north of the common, and is a ]>art of the elevated 
plateau which extends in the centre of tlie town southward 
from the Wachusett range. This estimable gift is to be 
forever known as the Goodnow Memorial Building. The 
graceful form of this structure at once charms the eye. 
Beauty is so united to simplicity, by the skill of the architect, 
that no lavish adornment offends the most cultivated taste. 
The facade with its square tower, semi-circular bay window, 
and shapely gable, presents the chief attraction, yet every 
side and every feature seems to harmonize in such a manner 
that the observer realizes that " architecture is frozen music." 

The architect, happy in his design, was no less fortunate in 
his choice of materials. The foundation is of native granite, 
which is so pervaded with hornblende that, both in hue and 
texture, it suggests to the thoughtful spectator that the build- 



UOODNOW MEJfORIAL BUILDIXG 85 

ing is a natural outgrowth of the eternal hills on which it 
rests. In the granite which forms the walls, feldspar of a flesh 
colored tint abounds, to give as it wei-e a life-like tone ; while 
the brownstone trimmings are so artistically arranged that use 
seems everywhere second to beauty. 

The whole effect is one of which the eye does not tire, and 
as from year to year the library is enlarged, and works are 
added which will serve to mark human progress in letters and 
arts, this building will stand to please the more cultivated 
taste of future generations, and to prove the truth of the 
poet's utterance, that 

"A. thing of beauty is a joy forever." 



The Gift 

Description of the Building 

r.Y THE ARPIUTKCT, S. r. KAHLK 



The Goodnow Memorial Building occupies a very comniaud- 
ing- position, and is conspicuous in approaching tlie village 
from any direction. Wlien the site was chosen and the loca- 
tion fixed upon a ledge, it was hoped that the material taken 
out in making tlie cellar would be suitable for the walls of the 
building ; but the stone proved to be very intractable, and 
could be used only for the foundation walls. A beautiful rose 
tinted granite from Milford, Massachusetts, was selected for 
the material, in combination with Longmeadow brownstone. 
The base or underpinning is of a dark, local granite, and the 
roof is covered with black, Monson, Maine, slate. The outside 
dimensions on the ground are 60x67 feet, being in two nearly 
equal divisions, of which the east half is the public library, 
and the west the school-house. The entrance to the library is 
throughi a tower 14 feet square and 70 feet high, which bears 
on its front a large, Jonesboro granite tablet with the words, 
in raised and ])olished letters, " Goodnow Memorial Building, 
A. D. 1883." Higher up is a Howard tower clock, which 
strikes the hoiars on a fine toned Meneely bell of a thousan/l 
])Ounds weight, and inscribed " Goodnow Memorial Building," 
" Knowledge is Power." An open porch, built of stone 
throughout, leads to a vestibule which connects with the main 
library and the reading room. The former is 28x36 feet and 



GOODNOW MEMORIAL BUILDING 87 

25 feet high, witli an arched ceiling finished with ash ribs. A 
reading room, ISX-l feet and 13 feet high, connects witli tlie 
library by wide doors, and from its two south windows in the 
bay end, commands a very extended prospect. Opening from 
this room is a fire-proof vault for the town records. The read- 
ing rooms and library are finished with brown ash, and are 
fitted up with all the requisite furniture of the same wood. 
The reading room has a terra cotta fireplace, and its floor, 
and that of tlie connecting vestibule, are laid with tiles of 
rich patterns, Decoi'ative painting on the walls and ceilings 
adds much to the beauty and completeness of the rooms, in 
addition to which is to be noted an effective use of stained 
glass. 

In the library near the entrance door, a mural tablet of 
African onyx set in a frame of I'ichly carved Knoxville mar- 
ble, explains the origin and purpose of the building in the 
following words : 

IN MEMORY OF 

Harriet Goodnow, 
Mary Augusta Goodnow 

AND HER SON 

Henry Bagg Goodnow, 

DAUGHTERS AND GRANDSON OF HENRY BAGG, M. D., 

THIS BUILDING, DEDICATED TO THE 

EDUCATION OF THE YOUNG, IS ERECTED BY THE 

HUSBAND AND FATHER, 

Edward A. Goodnow. 

A. D. 1883. 

In the reading room, over the fireplace, is a life-size medal- 
lion of Mr. Goodnow", the work of Andrew O'Connor of 
Worcester. It is of white Italian set in Spanish marble. 



88 GOODNOW MEMOlilAL BUILDING 

The school-house, which comprises the western half of the 
building, has an entrance with hallways and stairs for the girls 
on the south side, and similar arrangements for the boys on 
the west. Two school-rooms, 24x30 feet each, one in the 
first and one in the second story, occupy the southwest corner 
of the biiilding. They are fitted up with the most approved 
seats and desks, for forty scholars to each room. This part of 
the building has the finish of brown ash and floors of maple, 
and the walls and ceilings liave plain tints throughout. 

A high cellar, under the entire building, blasted out of the 
solid ledge, with a cement floor, gives to the children an admi- 
rable place for exercise during rough weather. 

Work on the building was commenced in September 1882; 
and by December of the following year the school-rooms were 
occupied. 

The building and the land have cost between twenty-five 
and thirty thousand dollars. The sum of five thousand dollars 
was given for the moving of the Congregational Church from 
its position in front of this building to its present location, 
and for constructing its vestry and parlors to take the place of 
the former chapel, in the rear of the main edifice. A fund of 
five thousand dollars provides income for the care of the 
building and grounds, securing at least fifty dollars for books, 
although the remainder of the income, not otherwise used, 
may also be so expended. 

Stephen C. Earle of Worcester was the architect, Norcross 
Brothers of Worcester were the builders, and P. A. Butler 
of Boston did the frescoing. The memorial tablet is the work 
of Evans and Tombs, Boston. 



The Deed of Gift 



I'.Y KDWAKI) A. GUODNOW 



Know all men by those presents, that I, Edward A. Good- 
now, of the city and county of Worcester and common- 
wealth of Massachusetts, Banker, in consideration of the good 
will and affection which I bear to my native town, to wit, the 
town of Princeton in tlie county and commonwealth afore- 
said, hereby give, grant, bargain, sell and convey to said Town 
of Princeton a certain lot of land situated in the centre of 
said Princeton and bounded and described as follows : Begin- 
ning at a point on the west line of the road leading from said 
Centre to Wachusett mountain, at the north-easterly corner 
of the lot or common on which the Congregational Church 
now stands, thence running N. 75.5° W. in a straight line 
227.8 feet to land of Eliza V. Andrews, thence N. 8*^ W. in a 
straight line 281 feet to land of P. C. Doolittle, thence S. 78'' 
E. 181.5 feet in a straight line to the west line of said road, 
thence on the line of said road 247.5 feet to the place of begin- 
ning, containing forty-three thousand six hundred and sixty 
squai:e feet ; together with the Memorial Building wliich I 
have thereon erected in memory of my wives and only child, 
the descendants of an esteemed and honored family long 
established in said town, and all the fixtures, furniture, bell, 
clock and all other proi)erty to me belonging now therein ; 
12 



DO 



;OUJ)NOW jNIEMOJIIAL liUILDIMG 



To liave and to hold said estate and property to the said 
Town of Princeton, its successors and assigns forever ; in 
special trust nevertheless, for the uses, intents and purposes 
following-, that is to say: In trust forever hereafter to keep 
and maintain therein, under such reasonable rules and regu- 
lations as the Trustees thereof for the time being, hereafter 
provided foi-, shall from time to time establish, a Free Public 
Library and Reading-room for the use and enjoyment of all the 
inhabitants for the time being of said Town of Princeton, and 
of such othei- persons as said Trustees for the time being shall 
by general rule or special permit allow to use the same ; Pro- 
vided, that said Trustees shall allow the parts of said Building 
now specially fitted up and furnished by me as school-rooms to 
be kept and maintained for school purposes and uses under 
the direction of said Town, until such time hereafter as the 
same shall be needed for the enlargement, uses and accommo- 
dation of said Library and Reading-room ; Provided further, 
and this 'deed is made on this further condition and trust, that 
said Town shall at all times and forever hereafter provide, at 
its own expense, for the keeping of said Building, Clock and 
Bell in tliorough re})air, pay all taxes thereon if the same 
should hereafter become taxable by law, and the same keep 
constantly insured and as adequately insured as said Building, 
Clock, Bell and furnitui'e and fixtures in said Building now 
are, under and l)y virtue of fire policies of insurance for the 
total sum of seventeen thousand five hundred dollars, running 
for three years, which are herewith assigned to said Town : 
and should the same be burned or otherwise destroyed in 
whole or in part, or be injured, damaged or defaced by fire, 
the elements of nature or the violence of man, said Town 
shall re-build, repair and restore said Building without unnec- 
essary delay to the same condition substantially in which it 
now is, to the end that it may foi'ever stand as a Memorial 



r.OODXOW MEArOKTAL HUTLDIXG 9l 

liuildiiig worthy of tlie several objects for whicli it was 
erected and designed : Provided also, and this deed is made 
on this condition and further trust, that said Estate, Building, 
Library and Reading-i'oom shall be at all times under the 
exclusive discretionary care, management and control of a 
Board of Trustees to consist at all times of not less than 
seven nor more than ten persons, who shall be residents and 
tax-payers of said Town of Princeton, besides the chairman 
of the selectmen of said town for the time being, and 
the ordained, installed or stated and acting pastor or pastors 
of each and every protestant chxu'ch in said town for the 
time being, which chairman and pastor or pasiors shall be edi 
officio members, and, together with the others, shall constitute 
said board, which shall be known and called by the name and 
style of The Trustees of the Goodnow Memorial Buildino-; 
and said board as first constituted shall be composed of Wil- 
liam B. Goodnow, Thomas H. Russell of Boston (who is 
hereby specially exempted from the conditions of residence 
and tax-paying), Henry F. Sanborn, Joseph O. West, John 
Brooks, Moses H. Bullard, Moses H. Mirick, Algernon T. Bea- 
man, Moses C. Goodnow, Josiah D. Gi'egory and the chairman 
and pastor or pastors aforesaid, who shall, subject to the limit- 
ations and conditions as to residence and tax-paying and com- 
petency, respectively, continue members of said board during 
their respective lives, except said ex officio members, who shall 
continue members only so long as they retain their offices as 
chairman and pastors aforesaid ; Provided, that either of said 
Trustees may at any time by a writing filed with the clerk of 
said board, resign his place as a member thereof ; and if at any 
time either of said Trustees, or any Trustee for the time being 
hereafter appointed, shall cease permanently to be a resident 
of said town or to be a tax-])ayer therein, or shall become 
inca]»able of discharging the duties of said trust, it shall be 



92 ftOODNOW MEMORIAL UnmiNG 

lawful for said Board, after at least one week's notice person- 
ally served u])on the alleged incapable Trustee and upon the 
town clerk for the time being of said town, of their intended 
action, to declare the place of such Trustee vacant, and there- 
upon such Trustee shall cease to be a member of said Board ; 
provided that no place shall be declared vacant except by a 
vote of two-thirds of the whole Board. And all vacancies in 
said Board as the same may from time to time occur, whether 
by death, resignation, removal from town, the action of the 
Board as aforesaid, or otherwise, shall from time to time be 
filled by election by said Board of Trustees from the citizens 
of said town. And the said Board of Trustees shall in each 
and every year render to said Town at its annual town meet- 
ing a full detailed report and account, in writing, of all their 
doings under said trusts and the trusts hereinafter provided 
for, during the year then last past, and of all moneys and 
other property that shall have come to their hands thereunder, 
and of the uses and disposition made by them of the same, 
and the said Trustees shall at all times keep a full record of 
all their actions and proceedings under such trusts, and full 
accounts of all moneys coming to their hands under the same, 
all which records and accounts shall at all reasonable times be 
open to the inspection of the selectmen, or other town officers 
having substantially the same functions, and each of them for 
the time being, of said Town. 

And to the intent that the aforesaid gift and grant may 
accomplish in the best manner all the purposes for which it is 
designed, and may be suitably inaiiitained for all coming gen- 
erations as a Memorial Building and a means of education, 
usefulness and pleasure for all the Inhabitants of said Town 
of Princeton, I hereby give, grant, transfer and make over to 
said Town of Princeton the sum of Five Thousand Dollars in 
money, in special trust, nevertheless, for the uses, intents and 



ilOODNOW MEMORTAI, BUII.DrXG 9|-i 

purposes and upon the conditions following : In trust, to for- 
ever set apart and keep safely invested said sum of Five 
Thousand Dollars to be known and designated as the Good- 
now Memorial Building P^und, and the same principal sum at 
the expense of said Town to keep forever unimpaired and' 
whole, and pay all taxes that may at any time hereafter be 
assessed thereon, and from the income derived from said Fund 
to pay to the Ladies Village Improvement Society, in said 
Town, whenever such Society shall be duly organized, the sum 
of Fifty Dollars annually, in semi-annual payments, the whole 
to be used and expended by said Society from time to time, 
each year, in procuring and planting ornamental trees, shrubs, 
vines and flowers in and upon the grounds of said Estate, and 
caring for, nurturing, trimming and improving the same, to 
which Society the further sum of two hundred dollars is pres- 
ently to be given by me for the same uses and purposes ; and 
from said income to pay to said Trustees the sum of Ffty 
Dollars, each and every year, in semi-annual payments, the 
same to be used by said Trustees for the purchase of books for 
said Free Library and Reading-room provided that said Town 
shall appropriate, each and every year, the further sum of 
Fifty Dollars to be expended by said Trustees for the same 
purpose, and to pay to said Boai'd of Trustees, yearly, in semi- 
annual payments, the remainder of said income to be applied 
by said Board, first, towards keeping said Building and 
ground and the walls and fences around them in good condi- 
tion and repair, and next, towards the ])urchase of books for 
said Library, in their discretion. The grantor reserves to 
himself during his life visitatorial ])owers over this his s^ift. 

And I do covenant to warrant and defend said granted 
premises to the said Town of Princeton upon the aforesaid 
conditions and trusts, forever, against the lawful claims and 
demands of all persons whatsoever. 



94 GOObNOW MEMORIAL BlTILblNO 

In witness whereof, I, the said Edward A. Goodnow, and I, 
Sarah A. Goodnow, wife of said Edward A., hereby releasing 
and quitclaiming all my right, title, claim and demand for 
dower, homestead, and estate in fee in and unto said granted 
premises, have each hereunto set our hands and seals this 
seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord one 
thousand eight hundred and eighty-four. 

Edwakd a. Goodnow. [l. s.] 
Sarah A. Goodnoav. [l. s.] 

Signed, sealed and delivered, in presence of 

Charles E. Stevens. 
Carrie P. West. 

Worcester, ss., January 18, 1884. Then personally a\)- 
peared the above named Edward A. Goodnow and acknowl- 
edged the above instrument to be his free act and deed, 

before me, 

Charles E. Stevens, 

Justice of the Peace. 



Acceptance of the Gift 



BY THE TOWN 



At a legal meeting of the legal voters of the Town of 
Princeton, held the seventh clay of February, 1884, the second 
Article of the Warrant calling said meeting reads as follows: 

Section 2. To see if the Town will accept a Deed of Gift 
of Land, Library and School Building and Money tendered to 
it by Mr. Edward A. Goodnow, upon the trusts, terms and 
conditions in said Deed set forth, and to accept said trusts, 
terms and conditions, and to take any and all action deemed 
expedient relative thereto. 

Said Deed was submitted, and read in full. 

The following motion was offered by A. T. Beaman and 
seconded by J, E, Merriam : 

That the Town do hereby accept said Deed of conveyance 
of Land, Buildings and Money, and upon the trusts, terras and 
conditions in said Deed set forth ; and that the Town do 
hereby accept all the trusts, terms and conditions thereof, and 
agree to faithfully keep and perform all the obligations of the 
same. 

Voted unanimously to adopt said motion. 

Voted, That the Town gratefully acknowledge the consid- 
erate liberality of Mr. Goodnow in this permanent provision 
for the educational interests of the present and future inhab- 



96 GUODNOW MEMUllIAL HUILUING 

itajits of his native town, by the erection of an elegant, cajia- 
cious and commodious edifice for school and library iHirjJOses, 
amply furnishing and generously providing for its maintenance 
and use 

Voted, That in acce[>ting this donation, the Town tenders 
its thanks to Mr. Go(jdnow, and pledges itself to pay particu- 
lar attention to the edifice itself, and to ihe objects to which 
it is devoted by the wishes and provisions of the donor. 

Voted, That the Town Clerk be directed to communicate 
the foregoing votes to Mr. Goodnow. 

Attest : 

David II. GKEGoiiV, Town Clerk. 



Bao-0- Hall 



Its History 



FROM THE TOWN EECOBDS 



During the year 1883 tlic Town of Princeton considered 
and accepted tlie proposal of Mi-. Edward A. Goodnow to 
give the sura of l-OOOO for the removal of the Congregational 
church, the purchase of a new site therefor, the finishing of a 
vestry in the same and grading the grounds around it, and 
also for the purchase of a site for a new Town Hall. Of the 
whole amount thus given, the sum of $600 was expended in. 
the purchase of the last named site. 

At a town meeting, March 3, 1884, the Town "voted to 
raise $9000 to build a new Town Hall." At the same meet- 
ing, this resolve was unanimously adopted: "That tlie 
thanks of the Town are liereby tendered to the Pewholders of 
the Congregational Society for their considerate deference to 
public interest in consenting to the removal of their church 
and other buildings in accordance with the plan proposed and 
adopted relative to the new Town Hall." 

In addition to what the Town had voted to raise, tlic sum 
of 81000 was subscribed by non-residents, only $900 of which, 
however, was ultimately paid in to the building committee. 
13 



»0 15AGG HALL 

Meanwhile, proi)Osals for building the Ilall had been invited 
and received, of which the lowest was found to be $15,800, 
$5800 more than what both the Town and the non-resident 
subscribers had provided for. 

Here the matter rested until Mr. Goodnow went to Prince- 
ton, called together the principal men of pi'operty in the 
Centre, and proposed that if live of them would jointly con- 
tribute the sum of $3000 towards erecting the building accord- 
ing to the plans and specifications which had been presented, 
he would contribute $3000 more, with the annexed condition 
that the Town name the new building Bagg Hall, thus perpet- 
uating the name of his only son, Henry Bagg Goodnow. 

At a town meeting, June 11, 1884, the Town " voted to 
accept the gift of $3000 from E. A. Goodnow of Worcester, 
and in consideration therefor name the proposed Town Hall 
Bagg Hall." 

Mr, Goodnow paid his $3000 into the treasury and the five 
joint subscribers paid in $2700. A further subscription of 
$200 by three other persons was paid, which, with the other 
sums named made a total of $15,800. 

At a town meeting, September 27, 1884, it was " voted that 
the Town accept the location, plans and specifications pre- 
sented by Mr. Earle, subject to such alterations as the archi- 
tect and building committee may think proper to adopt ; that 
the committee be authorized to erect a hall in accordance 
with said plans, the Town not to be assessed to a greater 
amount than the $9000 already voted." 

Thus furnished with funds and authority the committee 
])roceeded with their work and the Building was completed at 
a cost of $14,210 and accepted by the Town, leaving a balance 
of $1,589.54 in the hands of the committee. Their chairman 
havinoc announced that the service of the committee was 



BAGG riALI. 99 

gratuitous, the Town passed a unanimous vote of thanks to 
them " for their judicious, devoted, and'gratuitous service 
in superintending the erection of the attractive structure 
and bringing it to its admirable completion." 

At a town meeting, October 19, 1886, the same committee 
having rei)orted that they had divided, pro rata, among eleven 
subscribers (Mr. Goodnow excepted) the above balance of 
$1,589.54, a committee consisting of the three Selectmen and 
one other citizen was appointed " to investigate and ascertain 
all the facts under oath relative to the subscriptions " to the 
building fund and report at an adjourned meeting. 

At that adjourned meeting, November 2, 1886, the investi- 
gating committee presented an exhaustive report in which 
they say that " they can discover nothing in the town records 
to show that these subscriptions were conditional ; " " nor was 
there anything in the notes given to the treasurer of the 
building committee by some of the subscribers to secure their 
subscriptions." And the committee conclude their report 
with a recommendation "that the Building Committee pay 
into the town treasury the balance remaining in their hands 
at the time of making said report, and that then the same be 
divided, j!?ro rata^ between the Town, Mr. E. A, Goodnow and 
all the other subscribers to the fund for building Bagg Hall." 
This report was accepted and the meeting was dissolved. 



To correct erroneous impressions which have gone abroad 
in regard to Mr. Goodnow's gift for Bagg Hall, the following 
statement made by him is here presented : When Mr. 
Goodnow made his conditional offer of 13000, there were 
j)resent four of the five subscribers concerned in the arrange- 
ment, together with other citizens and a gentleman from out of 



100 BAGG HALL 

town. The tifth subscriber was subsequently seen at his 
house by Mr. Goodnow, and in tlie presence of a third person 
the same conditional proposition was made to him. The 
l^roposition to each and all was this — that if the five would 
together subscribe $3000, Mr. Goodnow would give $8000 
more with the further annexed condition that the building 
should be named Bagg Hall. The next step taken by some of 
the five subscribers was to cause an article to be put into the 
warrant for a town meeting to see if the Town would name 
the building Bagg Hull in consideration of Mr. Goodnow's 
offer, not coupling with it the other condition of his gift, to 
wit, that the five should also give foOOO. Next, the same 
persons made an attempt to raise their 13000 in order to com- 
ply with Mr. Goodnow's condition. Of that sum, howevei', 
only #2700 were raised, notes for which were given and subse- 
quently redeemed by the payment of the money due thereon 
to the treasurer of the Building Committee. The building- 
was then completed and transferred to the Town, in connec- 
tion with which transfer tlie chairman announced that the ser- 
vices of the Building Committee were gratuitous ; whereupon 
a unanimous vole of thanks to the committee was passed by 
the Town. 

A balance of |il,589.54 remaining in the hands of the com- 
mittee, and these claiming a private understanding between 
themselves and the five subscribers (two of whom were also 
of the committee), that if any balance remained it should be 
returned, they assumed to act in accordance with this private 
understanding. But instead of returning the whole balance 
to the five subscribers, they returned to them forty per 
cent, of their subscriptions and gave away forty per cent, 
of $1050 which five other persons had given to the Town 
for building the hall without any resei-vation whatever. 



r.AGG HALT, llU 

In this niauuer they assumed to give away |420 of tlie Town's 
money to ])ersons who made no claim thereto. An eminent 
counselor-at-law who had formerly been employed by the 
Town to do its legal business was present at the town meeting 
and publicly stated that if the Building Committee had given 
aw^ay any money they had given away their own, but that the 
balance of $1,589.54 belonged to the Town. 



Description of the Building 



BY THE ARCHITECT, S. C. EARLE 



The new Town Hall, like the Goodnow Memorial, stands on 
the high plateau north of and facing the common. 

The building is 40x'i^0 feet, with external walls of Montague 
face brick with dressings of Longmeadow brown stone and a 
little terra cotta ornamental work, including the words Bagg 
Hall and the date, 1885, on the front. It is two stories 
high, with a circular stair tower 1(5 feet in diameter at 
the southwest corner. This has a sharp conical roof, 78 
feet in height to the top of the finial. The main building has 
a steep hip roof, the ridge of which is 50 feet from the 
ground. The roof covering is best dark Maine slate. The 
main entrance is at the south end, with granite steps leading 
to an open porch 5x 1^ ft. Marble tablets on two opposite sides 
of this porch bear the names of the Princeton soldiers who lost 
their lives in the war for the Union. A vestibule 11^ feet 
wide extends across the whole width of the building with wide 
stairs of double run, at each end, leading to a vestibule of same 
dimensions as the lower one. The main hall is entered directly 
from the upper vestibule, and is about 37X-10 feet on the 
floor and 18 feet high, with a gallery about 14 feet wide over 
the vestibule at the south end. At the north end is the stage, 
14 feet deep, arranged for scenery and dramatic appliances. 
A stairway at the northeast corner leads from the stage to 
the lower story and rear entrance. 



BAG(; HAL I. 103 

The first story, which is 12 feet higli, has a hall 2Gx3U feet 
for miscellaneous purposes, a town clerk's room and assessors' 
room, each about 14 feet square, and an ante-room about 
10xl2| ; all of which are connected directly with the vesti- 
bule by a corridor about six feet wide. There is also a kitchen 
10X11 feet, connected with the large hall and rear entrance, 
and the requisite closets. The inside finish throughout is of 
ash. A hearse-room, llX26| feet, occupies the northwest cor- 
ner of the building. Stairs lead to the basement, but as the 
building is heated by means of stoves, little use is made of it, 
and the site being solid ledge it was not excavated to a uni- 
form level. 

The building was designed by Stephen C. Earle of Worces- 
ter, architect, and was built by day work under the direction 
of I. F. Thompson, chairman of the building committee, 
Lorenzo Pratt being foreman in charge. The main hall was 
tastefully frescoed by Strauss Brothers of Boston. 



Dedicatory Proceedings 



15Y THE EDITOR 



Pursuant to an article in the warrant lor the annual town 
meeting hehi March 14, 1887, tlie town adopted the following 
votes : 

Voted, That we dedicate the new Town Hall and the Good- 
now Memorial Building; that the Executive Committee of the 
Trustees of said Memorial Building, with the Selectmen be a 
committee to make arrangements and fix the time for such 
dedication and that two hundred dollars be appropriated for 
that purpose. 

Voted, That this appropriation be paid out of any unappro- 
priated funds in the treasury. 

The above committee consisted of C. II. Thompson, A. B. 
Keyes and Wm. R. Howe, selectmen, and H. F. Sanborn, M. 
C. Goodnow and J. C. F. Mirick of the Trustees. By this 
committee C, H. Thompson, M. C. Goodnow, T. H. Russell and 
E. H. Hey wood wei'e chosen a sub committee. Mr. Russell 
was chosen to act as President of the day and Mr. Heywood 
as Secretary ; and Mr. Thompson was made Chairman of the 
sub-committee and treasurer. 

The day appointed for the dedication was the 6th of Sep- 
tember, 1887, which proved to be in all respects an auspicious 



GOODNOW LIBRARY AND BAGG HALL 105 

day. At 10 o'clock in the morning of that day a procession 
formed in front of the Wachusett House and moved around 
the public square and past the buildings to be dedicated, to 
the Congregational church in the following order: 

Mr. E. W. Gill, Marshal. 

W. H. Whitcomb and C. W. Houghton, Aids. 

Grafton Cornet Band, E. E. Howe, Leader. 

Grand Army Veterans. 

Hon. Thomas H. Russell, President of the day and Dr. 
Nathan Allen of Lowell, Orator of the day. 

Senator George F. Hoar and Mr. Edward A. Goodnow, 
Rev. William Silverthorne, Rev. George M. Howe, Hon. 
George M. Stearns, Mr. C. H. Thompson, chairman of the 
Selectmen, Hon. John E. Russell, Mr. H. F. Sanborn, Rev. 
Dr. A. A. Miner, Hon. Charles Theodore Russell, Rev. Wil- 
liam T. Briggs, Deacon J. T. Everett, Mr. Edwin Grimes, 
town clerk, Rev. Charles Nicklin, Mr. Moses C. Goodnow, 
Prof. Frank J. Goodnow of Columbia College, Mr. Stephen 
C. Earle the architect, and many others. 

After the company were seated in the church with Dr. 
Allen the orator, Mr. Goodnow, Rev. Mr. Howe and Rev. Mr. 
Silverthorne on the platform with the President of the day, 
the services were opened with music by the band. This was 
followed with prayer by Rev. William Silverthorne uf Prince- 
ton, chaplain of the day, after which the introductory address 
was spoken by the president, Hon. Thomas H. Russell. Fur- 
ther music by the band was followed by the Dedicatory 
Address of Dr. Nathan Allen of Lowell. Owing to some 
indisposition on the part of the author the address was read 
by Rev. George M. Howe of Lewiston, Maine, a former pastor 
of the church. 

14 



106 GOODXOW LIBRARY AND SCHOOL 

At the conclusion of this address the assembly repaired to 
Bagg Hall for a collation, pausing on the way to be photo- 
graphed as they stood grouped upon and around the steps of 
the church. A coj)y of this picture with some of the princi- 
pal actors designated by their names has been deposited in the 
library Building as a memento of the occasion. 

At half past two o'clock the church was again filled with 
the assembly, and after the performance of a selection from 
Meyerbeer by the band and the reading of a telegram from 
Rev. Geo. W. Phillips, D. D., the former pastor of Plymouth 
church in Worcester, so largely indebted to Mr. Goodnow's 
generosity, the rest of the day was chiefly occu])ied by gentle- 
men who had been invited to be present and speak on the 
occasion. The telegram of Dr. Phillips extended his "con- 
gratulations to Princeton and its benefactor on your [their] 
increased facilities for working out the serious problems of 
country towns." Hon. Geo. M. Stearns of Chicopee, late U. S. 
District Attorney, was then called up to respond to the senti- 
ments, 'The President of the United States' and 'The State,' 
the last having been intended for his excellency Governor 
Ames, who was unavoidably absent. The next sjjeaker was 
our United States Senator, George F. Hoar, and after him 
came Rev. A. A. Miner, D. D., of Boston, whose subject was 
'The Church.' He was followed by Hon, John E. Russell of 
Leicester, our representative in Congress, w^ilhout any an- 
nouncement of his topic. Then Rev. William T. Briggs, a 
former pastor of the Congregational church, was called on to 
speak for ' The Princeton Clergy.' He was succeeded by 
Prof. Frank J. Goodnow of Columbia College, New York, 
whose subject was announced as 'The Bookworm.' Next, 
John A. Dana, Esq., of Worcester, a Princeton boy, spoke for 
' The Princeton Boys.' He was followed by the Hon. Charles 



BUILDING AXD BAGG HALL 107 

Theodore Russell of Cambridge, also a son of Princeton and 
Centennial orator, October 20, 1859. Mr, Stephen C. Earle of 
Worcester was next called up to speak; and after him came 
Rev. Charles Nicklin of Kendal Green, a former pastor of the 
Methodist church, the subject of whose remarks was 'Unity 
in Freedom.' Mr. William B. Goodnow of Princeton, as the 
representative of 'The Farmers of Princeton,' closed the 
speaking of the day. Mr. S. R. Heywood o\ Worcester, a 
native of Princeton, was to have spoken for ' The Manufac- 
turers of Worcester,' but was unavoidably absent, as was Col. 
J. A. Titus of Worcester, who had been asked to speak for 
' The Citizen Soldier.' 

Following the speeches was the reading of letters from 
invited guests, some of which will be found elsewhere in these 
pages. Letters were also read from his excellency Governor 
Ames, Gen. B. F. Butler, Rev. A. L. Love, late pastor of the 
Congregational church, Mr. John Hopkins of Millbury and 
Mr. James E. Estabrook of Worcester, and Mr. E. G. 
Walker. 

Among the persons present, other than those already men- 
tioned, were Rear Admiral Thomas O. Selfridge of Washing- 
ton, George £, Hendee of the United States Navy, W. C. 
Langley, Esq., of Philadelphia, Mrs, C. A. Goodnow and her 
daughters. Miss Kittie and Miss Hattie Goodnow of Boston, 
Mr. and Mrs. George E. Richardson of Worcester, Mr. Asel 
Davis of Lowell, Professor Kelley of Providence, Mr. Silas 
Howe of Holden, Mr. C. M. Dyer and family of Worcester, 
and Mr. E. W, Nash and Mr. G. E. Haskell and family of 
J^oston. The public press of Won^ester, Springfield and 
13()ston was well represented, and full reiK)rts of the proceed- 
ings were printed in the journals of those cities. 



108 GOOD:yoAV library and bagg hall 

It may be properly stated by the writer of this sketch that 
the success of the occasion was larg^ely due to the activity and 
enterprise of Mr. E. H. Heywood, the secretary of the com- 
mittee of arrangements. 



Among many other interesting incidents of the day was the 
presentation to the Public Library of three electrical machines 
invented and constructed by three sons of Princeton: one by 
Asel Davis, and an electro-magnetic machine by Daniel Davis, 
now deceased. These evidences of inventive genius are on 
permanent exhibition in the Library. 



[ E Fg '08 



DEDICATION 



GOODNOW MEMORIAL BUILDING 



BAGG HALL 



